An increasingly common phenomenon

We live in a society that moves at a fast pace. Consumer culture and constant exposure to social media and news can create an invisible yet persistent pressure. We are pushed to meet often unreachable standards of success, beauty, and happiness. This constant race for “more,” “better,” and “faster” not only drains our energy but can also fuel feelings of dissatisfaction, stress, and, above all, anxiety.

In this context, technology, though useful, can become intrusive. The lack of time to disconnect and reconnect with ourselves keeps us in a constant state of alert, where true rest seems like a luxury. This is where anxiety finds fertile ground.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural emotion, a response our body activates when faced with situations it perceives as threats. In a way, it’s an evolutionary ally: it prepares us to react, keeps us alert, and helps us avoid danger.

For example, feeling anxious before a job interview or an exam is normal — and it can even motivate us to prepare better. In these cases, anxiety serves an adaptive purpose.

When does it stop being helpful?

Anxiety becomes problematic when it is triggered without a real cause or in a disproportionate way to situations that don’t pose a real danger. It then becomes an obstacle that interferes with daily life. This kind of anxiety is no longer a helpful ally and turns into an emotional burden.

When anxiety is constant, intense, and hard to control, we may be dealing with an anxiety disorder. It can manifest through symptoms such as excessive worry, persistent fear, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, or gastrointestinal issues. In such cases, the natural stress response becomes dysfunctional and requires specialized care.

We say anxiety stops being adaptive when:

• It is triggered without a real threat.
• It persists over time.
• It interferes with daily life.
• It is accompanied by physical symptoms like palpitations, sweating, muscle tension, shortness of breath, or stomach problems.

In these situations, the anxiety is classified as a disorder—a mental health condition that requires professional attention. It’s important to understand that it’s not just about “worrying too much” or being “too sensitive,” but a real imbalance in the body’s stress response system.

It’s not just being nervous

It’s important to differentiate between feeling nervous occasionally and living with an anxiety disorder. The former is part of human experience; the latter is a mental health condition that can seriously affect a person’s quality of life. It’s not about “having negative thoughts” or “overreacting,” but a legitimate condition that deserves understanding, support, and appropriate treatment.

Ayúdate is here to help

At Ayúdate, we understand the importance of addressing anxiety with sensitivity and professionalism. Our team of bilingual and bicultural therapists is committed to providing a safe and accessible space to talk about how you feel. Through our telehealth services, you can access therapy in Spanish, from wherever you are in Pennsylvania.

Anxiety does not have to be a lonely burden. Seeking help is an act of courage and the first step toward well-being.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic and access additional reliable information, we recommend reading the following guide from the National Institute of Mental Health:
🔗 I’m So Stressed Out! – NIMH

References: 

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). Estoy tan estresado. Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/espanol/estoy-tan-estresado
• World Health Organization. (2022). Trastornos de ansiedad. Available at: https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders

American Psychological Association (APA). (n.d.). Understanding anxiety disorders. https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety