Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural and usually short-lived reaction to a stressful situation, associated with feelings of worry, nervousness or apprehension.
It typically occurs in new, unfamiliar or challenging situations, where the person might not feel up to the task, or where the outcome is uncertain.
The first day of school, sitting an exam, speaking in front of an audience, or attending a job interview are all situations in which most people feel some anxiety.
For some people however, anxious thoughts, feelings, or physical symptoms are severe, upsetting, frequent, and interrupt daily life. If this happens it is important to seek help as early as you can.
While anxiety is usually a normal reaction to a stressful situation, for some people anxious thoughts, feelings, or physical symptoms can become chronic, severe and upsetting, and interrupt daily life. Severe, frequent, recurring, and persistent anxiety symptoms may be considered an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health problem diagnosed in Australia affecting around 16% of Australians every year.
There are different types of anxiety disorders, including:
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by persistent and excessive worry, often about a range of daily situations like work, family or health. This worry is difficult to control and interferes with the person’s day-to-day life and relationships.
Specific phobia involves extreme anxiety and fear of particular objects or situations, which is out of proportion to the actual danger present. Common phobias include fears of flying, spiders and other animals, and injections.
Panic disorder is characterised by the experience of repeated and unexpected panic attacks – sudden surges of overwhelming fear and anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness. In panic disorder, these panic attacks come ‘out of the blue’ with no apparent trigger.
Agoraphobia involves intense anxiety in two or more situations and places where the person feels it would be difficult for them to get out quickly or get help if needed. This fear is out of proportion to the actual danger present. This includes situations such as using public transport, being in enclosed places (e.g. shops, cinema), standing in a line, being in a crowd, or being outside of the home alone.
Social anxiety disorder is characterised by severe fear of one or more social situations in which a person could potentially be scrutinised by others (e.g., being observed while eating, having a conversation, meeting unfamiliar people, giving a speech in front of others). The person fears their anxiety symptoms will be obvious and will be negatively evaluated (e.g., they will feel embarrassed or other people will be offended or reject them). The fear is out of proportion to the actual threat present.
If anxiety is affecting your day-to-day life, our Psychologists are trained and qualified professionals skilled in helping people with a range of mental health and wellbeing concerns.