If you are seeking help with anxiety, we are here to help.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common presentations of psychological suffering. In Australia, approximately 25% of people will experience distressing levels of anxiety at some stage in their lives.
It is also one of the conditions that we know the most about, and are most effective at treating, meaning that most people do not have to continue to suffer from anxiety if they access effective treatment.
Why do we experience anxiety?
Anxiety can be understood as a risk response; the body is signalling that the individual is experiencing some kind of a threat.
While aspects of this threat response, for example being constantly wired or hypervigilant or physically ready for action or a freeze response, might be helpful is there is an imminent danger to life, when the response is activated in the context of everyday relationships, and becomes habitual, anxiety often becomes debilitating and distressing, and impedes rather than helps the individual.
Persistent anxiety can trigger depression and other mental health conditions.
Some common symptoms of an anxiety-related condition include
- Restlessness
- Racing heart
- Rapid breathing
- Breathlessness
- Hyperventilation
- Panic attacks
- A sense of impending doom
- Insomnia
- Nervousness and unease
- Sweaty hands and feet
- Tingling or numbness
- Chronic muscle tension
- Tension headaches
- Migraines
- Gut problems such as nausea, IBS, and diarrhoea
- Poor concentration and attention
- Dizziness
Anxiety disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders that are all characterised by symptoms of anxiety but with each having its own unique set of characteristics.
Some of the different types of disorders are
- Agoraphobia
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Phobias
- Selective Mutism
- Social Anxiety Disorder
How to get help with anxiety
It is helpful to seek assistance as soon as possible before symptoms get worse. If you are worried about your symptoms and are unsure if you want to start therapy, then book an appointment with your GP. Your GP will discuss with you what anxiety symptoms you are experiencing, and if needed write a Mental Health Care Plan and Referral for a practitioner that can help you. The Mental Health Care Plan will allow you to access a Medicare rebate for psychological help.
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