“Financial anxiety can be debilitating, and it can cause significant distress in one’s daily life,” says Kristy Archuleta, associate professor of personal finance planning at Kansas State University and co-founding editor of the Journal of Financial Therapy.

Although financial anxiety is common, it’s not insurmountable — and recognizing what triggers your anxiety can help you cope with it.

Financial anxiety shares many of the diagnostic criteria of generalized anxiety disorder, like excessive worry, irritability and difficulty concentrating, but the American Psychiatric Association doesn’t recognize it as an official diagnosis.

Life’s “little-t” traumas, like losing your job or going through a foreclosure, can lead to financial anxiety, Shinal says

Tessler recommends scheduling time to address finances — setting a “money date” with yourself, or with your partner if your issue involves him or her. Money dates with yourself can focus on immediate actions like contacting an accountant or learning about a new bookkeeping system.

“Try to bring more awareness to what the emotions and patterns are in your body and mind,” Tessler says. If you have a physical reaction to money conversations (sweaty palms or a racing heartbeat), acknowledge it. Consider what is in the conversation that is triggering these feelings. Is it how you communicate with your partner? Are you feeling guilty or ashamed?

Addressing financial anxiety includes both exterior and interior actions, Shinal says. Exterior actions involve taking steps to create a budget or decrease debt and may involve hiring financial professionals.

“Achieving financial goals is not just about the numbers on a spreadsheet,” Archuleta says. “The numbers on the spreadsheet are a product of clients’ behaviors and the emotions, attitudes and thoughts that drive those behaviors.”