It can be difficult to know if you should see a doctor for a symptom you’re experiencing.

For many people, going to the doctor is an anxiety-inducing experience, and in some cases, symptoms may resolve on their own without a doctor’s help. But in others, ignoring a health problem could make it worse. No one can predict the future, which is why deciding when to seek medical care can send anyone into a serious mental spiral.

Just know this: Doctors go through a similar dilemma when they get sick. Because medical ethics usually prevent doctors from treating themselves, they must contact a doctor when they are under the weather. And like you, they’d rather not have to go to the doctor.

So what do GPs consider when deciding whether they should contact a GP? Here’s what they said.

Angela U. Tucker, MDsaid a family physician and clinical assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Health that she relies on her medical training before deciding to contact a doctor for a health problem.

“I think about the worst case scenario and how likely it is to be true,” she said. “If the likelihood of a big problem is really low, I’m more likely to wait.”

For example, Tucker said that a chest pain would make her think there was a remote possibility that she had a heart attack. But then she’ll be evaluated to see if she’s getting worse with activity, along with her risk factors. “If I can stand up and do jumps and it doesn’t change the pain, it’s less likely to be my heart,” she said. “But if I had a history of heart attack, then I would be more concerned.”

If he has a cough, he will usually try to evaluate himself for more common problems, such as allergies, acid refluxand a virus. “I might try some home remedies or over-the-counter medications to see what kind of response I have to see if I should be concerned,” she said.

Still, Tucker said she would definitely see a doctor if she’s sick to the point where it interferes with her ability to do her usual activities.

Peter Yangga, MDsaid an internal medicine physician at Northwell Health Health that it can be “challenging” to decide when to see a doctor – even if there is one.

“I usually wait until my symptoms are severe or worrisome before I seek further evaluation,” he said. If his symptoms persist or worsen but do not appear to be an emergency or life-threatening, he will also contact a doctor.

“Why is this a deciding factor? Any progression in the severity of the disease is red flags to seek medical help,” said Yangga. “More extensive diagnostic tests and treatments are usually needed to resolve the condition and prevent further complications.”

Still, he admitted that he, like many doctors, tends to underreact to his symptoms. “With a busy schedule and some biases in medical experience, medical professionals usually tend to delay and wait,” he said. But Yangga also stressed that if he thinks it’s an emergency, he will “of course” seek a medical evaluation.

Sulagna Misra, MDsaid an internal medicine physician and founding physician at Misra Wellness Health that she tries to focus on how much a symptom affects her and her quality of life.

“When the body has a symptom, I take it as the body talking,” she said. “We don’t want to ignore it and shut up. We want to listen and identify the root cause if possible.”

Ultimately, Misra said it’s better to see a doctor than not. “If something bothers you, if you have a question, if you have a concern, if you don’t understand something, if you have symptoms and they don’t go away and they’re worrying, if you’re bleeding and it won’t stop, if you’re coughand it won’t stop or get worse — anything that’s preventing you from doing your daily activities — should prompt you to contact your doctor right away,” she said.

Laura Purdy, MD, family physician and founder of JellyMed and Swell Medical, said Health that they try to wait out their symptoms before seeking medical attention.

“It’s extremely rare that I go to the doctor unless it’s been a few days of OTCs that don’t work,” she said.

But Purdy said there are exceptions. “I go to my doctor at the very first sign of a urinary tract infectionshe said. (These symptoms can include a burning sensation with pee and feeling like you have to pee without peeing a lot. There can also be blood in the urine or urine that looks unpleasant or has a strong smell, she said.) Those should never wait. Purdy said. “I dealt with too many inpatients kidney infections to try to handle it myself.”

Still, Purdy stresses the importance of listening to your body. “If it’s something you’ve never felt before and you’re worried about, then trust your gut and talk to your doctor as soon as possible,” she said.