Anxiety disorder
Anxiety is a normal human emotion. We all experience it from time to time. Anxiety (or feeling anxious) can be described as feeling nervous, worried, uneasy, panicky, and fearful about what might happen. Sometimes anxiety can be helpful. For example, if you are worried about your health, you may make an appointment with your doctor. However, too much anxiety can interfere with daily life.
When does anxiety become a disorder?
It’s normal to feel anxious when you’re under pressure or if you’re worrying about a certain situation. Most of the time, your anxiety will reduce once the stressful situation is over. But for some people, anxiety persists.
Experiencing excessive or irrational anxiety or feelings when there appears to be no obvious or logical reason for the way the person feels can worsen the anxiety disorder. This kind of anxiety is different from day-to-day worries and is often referred to as an anxiety disorder.
About 25% of people will experience an anxiety disorder at some stage of their life with females more likely to develop one.
Types of anxiety disorder
There are different types of anxiety, and some people may experience a combination of different types of anxiety. Types of anxiety disorders include:2
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) - constant worrying, fear and tension about many things with little or no reason.
Panic disorder - a sudden and intense fear resulting in a panic attack (some symptoms include racing heart, breathing fast, sweating, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed or faint, fear of losing control, chills or hot flushes)
Social anxiety disorder - feeling worried and overwhelmed by everyday situations or worrying that others are judging or laughing at you. Also called social phobia.
Specific phobias - an intense fear of a situation or things such as fear of heights, fear of spiders, or fear of flying.
Sometimes anxiety may be present alongside other conditions. These include:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - repeated thoughts and behaviours to reduce feelings of anxiety. Examples include counting things and excessive handwashing.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - this can happen after experiencing a frightening or distressing event such as watching or experiencing an accident, abuse, physical harm, or a disaster.
What are the signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder?
Signs and symptoms of feeling anxious include:
feeling tense or nervous
feeling panicked or a sense of impending danger
increased heart rate
rapid breathing
sweating
trembling.
Signs that you may have an anxiety disorder include:
feeling anxious most of the time
being unable to control your thoughts
having trouble feeling calm
being tired or lethargic
having trouble concentrating or remembering things
muscle tension
sleeping problems
changes in appetite
feeling nauseous, having a churning or ‘butterflies’ in your stomach.
Anxiety can also change the way you behave, affecting your quality of life. You may start avoiding talking to other people, going out socially, avoiding places that make you feel anxious, or relying on alcohol or other drugs to cope.
What causes anxiety disorders?
In most cases, there is a combination of factors that leads to anxiety. These include:
family history - you’re more likely to develop an anxiety disorder if someone else in your family has a mental health condition
having another mental health condition yourself
personality (e.g. being a perfectionist, having low self-esteem or needing to be in control)
ongoing stress or significant life changes
traumatic events such as abuse, wars, accidents, natural disasters and life-threatening events
having other health issues
abusing substances such as alcohol, sedatives and other drugs
withdrawing from drugs and alcohol.
How is anxiety diagnosed?
Your doctor will take your medical history, ask about your family history and talk to you about your symptoms. They might also ask you to fill in a detailed questionnaire or send you for some tests to make sure you don’t have any other conditions.
This will help them make a diagnosis.
Anxiety disorder treatment
There are many ways to treat and manage anxiety. What works for one person may not work for someone else. Treatment will depend upon your symptoms, but management options include:
lifestyle measures such as:- regular exercise- eating a healthy diet- reducing caffeine, alcohol and cigarette use- reducing stress- getting enough sleep- making time for yourself
relaxation and mindfulness techniques such as meditation, yoga or guided imagery
psychological therapies to help you manage your anxiety such as:- cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) - changing the way you think and feel, and reducing triggers- behaviour therapy - focusing on activities that you find enjoyable to reverse patterns of worry
medication
There are also many online therapies you can try. You can learn more about these at the Australian Government’s Head to Health website.
Complications of anxiety
Left untreated, anxiety can get worse. It can lead to social isolation and depression. It can also impact your ability to work, study or do day-to-day tasks. It can also take a toll on your relationships. Some people with anxiety may also have depression which can increase the risk of suicide.
When to see the doctor
If anxiety is interfering with your life, it’s important to see your doctor. You can also ask your GP if you’re eligible to access a mental health care plan and obtain a referral to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist. See your doctor if:
you have trouble controlling your fear and anxiety
you feel depressed or have a low mood
your anxiety is interfering with your ability to work, study or go about your daily life
you feel you may also have another health problem.
If you have thoughts about suicide, seek immediate help. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
How can I support someone with anxiety?
If you think someone you know is struggling with anxiety, there are ways you can support them. You can:8
ask if they are okay and explain why you’re concerned
listen to what they say without giving advice or judging them
help them get the support they need by encouraging them to see their doctor
assure them that what they have told you will be kept private
give them hope by telling them that there are treatments, and they don’t have to feel like this forever
reassure them that you are there to help.
There are also several Australian mental health services you can reach out to for support:
Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au
Black Dog Institute: blackdoginstitute.org.au
Headspace: headspace.org.au
Lifeline: lifeline.org.au
Kids Helpline: kidshelpline.com.au
ReachOut Australia: au.reachout.com
SANE Australia: sane.org
Open Minds: openminds.org.au
Your local MediADVICE Pharmacist is available to help with your health. We can recommend products that may be right for you, and provide support. We can also refer you to a doctor if necessary.
Visit your nearest Pharmacy today
Disclaimer
General advice only - this information should not replace the information provided to you by your health care professional. If symptoms are severe or persist, please speak to your healthcare professional. Information is current as of date of publishing.
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