When should you seek help?

[Sleepwalker]

I know I have anxiety problems, but I'm not sure if they're bad enough that I should attempt to see a counselor for.

It affects my everyday life, but it's not quite crippling, you know?

For example:
Crowds make me nervous.
People looking at me when I can't see them.
Arriving at work (I'm always worried I'm there the wrong day or something - also happens with any kind of appointment or date).
Making phone calls.
Answering phone calls.
Walking through parking lots.
Going anywhere alone - usually I don't do this.
Seeing other people doing potentially dangerous things (kids at the top of a slide, someone using an ax to chop a tree, someone skipping down steps, etc.)

This isn't a complete list, but it gives you the general idea. I mean, I still do a lot of things things outta necessity, but I'm anxious the entire time. I'm always taking deep breaths and just closing my eyes to try to calm down.

So my question is: How do you know when it's bad enough to seek help? Is there a certain criteria or anything? And what does a counselor or doctor do to help, anyway?

[Mehhhhhh]

If it is bothering you then you should seek help. It sounds as if it is bothering you so seeing a councellor could be very helpful (: This is what I am going through at the moment and have just started seeing a councellor. A councellor identifies the problem and finds out ways to get round it- I am not completely sure as I am still new to it. I don't believe there is a certain criteria, just if it is enough that it is bothering you and getting in the way of everyday life.

[Stacey]

Generally one should seek help when it effects their normal day to day functioning. It seems that it does for you, so counselling or speaking to your family doctor would be a good idea. My anxiety issues became a daily problem, but not to the extent of some other people (i.e. crippling effects) however I was diagnosed with pretty bad health anxiety and actually had to go on medication to stop some of the symptoms from becoming crippling. At any notice of symptoms that seem to be a daily issue you should seek help.