“Anxiety – what is it?”
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Anxiety is a natural reaction that everyone experiences - part of our fight or flight response - which helps us to be alert for potentially dangerous or fearful situations such as crossing a busy road or approaching a big black spider in the bathtub!
However for some people anxiety prevents them from living their life in the way that they would like.
Problem anxiety can take various forms - panic attacks that occur out of the blue; incredible fear about situations or objects that are not actually dangerous or usually scary; uncontrollable concerns and worry about almost everything; or compulsive repetition of a ritual due to an idea that it will reduce anxiety i.e. washing hands repeatedly to get rid of germs.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY?
People who may have an anxiety disorder often experience common symptoms of fear and panic.
Fear vs. Anxiety - Anxiety has similar physical and emotional symptoms to fear. Fear, however, is always based on, or triggered by something. A person with an anxiety disorder feels the fear but cannot necessarily name the reason they feel anxious.
Panic attacks - During a panic attack, fear may be so intense that you feel like you will lose control, have a heart attack, or “go crazy”. Panic attacks can occur with different anxiety disorders.
In addition to fear and panic a person with an anxiety disorder may experience symptoms including:
Feeling irritable or uneasy
Excessively worrying about things
Appearing to others as being “highly strung”
Difficulty relaxing, concentrating and sleeping
Developing elaborate plans to avoid certain places, situations or objects
Physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, muscle spasm, sweating, shortness of breath, headaches and nausea, with no other cause
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS?
Some of the main types of anxiety disorders are:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - marked by unrealistic and excessive worry accompanied by constant and often unnecessary concern about anything or everything.
Phobias –including Social Phobia – fear of being judged negatively by other people; Agoraphobia – fear of certain objects or places; Specific Phobia – intense fear of particular objects or situations.
Panic Disorder - extreme panic attacks including all of the physical symptoms of panic along with a fear that the panic attack itself will lead to a total loss of control or even death.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Persistent and unwanted thoughts which constantly invade and disrupt a person’s life. People may end up performing the same action or processes over and over in an attempt to ease their anxiety about these thoughts.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – feelings of uncontrollable fear or flashbacks after a traumatic experience resulting in a person feeling unable to function in their daily life.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CAUSES OF ANXIETY?
Anxiety can be a result of an interaction of a number of factors including:
Environmental factors - some people become anxious when faced with certain situations, life events, people or places. When these triggers are gone, the anxiety eases or disappears altogether.
Biological factors - an imbalance of the chemicals in the brain that regulate feelings and physical reactions can alter someone’s thoughts, emotions or behaviour, resulting in anxiety.
Genetic factors - It is still unclear whether Anxiety Disorders can be inherited but research shows that anxiety disorders run in some families. They may take on a different form for each family member.
Personality - some personality types are more prone to anxiety. A person who often reacts in a very emotional way and who is easily upset may experience anxious thoughts and behaviours.
WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE?
Anxiety can be a big deal and you don’t have to work it out on your own. There are some very successful treatments and strategies available for people with an anxiety disorder.These include:
Counselling and therapy, in particular Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Medication
Self-help support groups and self-treatment programs
Alternative therapies
For more detailed information on what help is available please call the Mental Health Association’s Information Service on 1800 674 200 or (02) 9816 5688.
WHAT CAN I DO FOR MYSELF?
To help relieve mild anxiety and assist in the long term management of feelings of anxiety:
Find out as much as you can about anxiety by accessing the resources and information listed below
See your local GP or have an assessment conducted by a mental health professional
If treatment is required, discuss your options with your health professional and decide on a program that is right for you
Don’t let misconceptions about mental illness or the worry of anxiety stop you from seeking help.
Remember that everyone experiences feelings of anxiety - it can often be very calming to talk to a friend, relative or counsellor so that these feelings don’t end up getting beyond your control.
Always look after your mind as well as your body by adopting a healthier lifestyle including regular exercise, a healthy eating plan, regular sleeping patterns and learning to reduce your stress levels and relaxing. This is different for everybody. You may watch TV or read a book, go for a walk, see a movie or have a bath, others find slow breathing or remedial massage beneficial.
Please note, the use of alcohol, cannabis and other recreational drugs is discouraged for anyone suffering Anxiety.Rather than assisting with long term recovery, these substances can cause a temporary worsening of symptoms.
WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANXIETY?
Contact the Mental Health Association’s Information Service on 1800 674 200 or (02) 9816 5688 or visit www.mentalhealth.asn.au
Visit other mental health related websites focusing on anxiety and/or depression (you will find a number of links to reputable sites from the Mental Health Association website)
There are a number of specialist anxiety clinics in major hospitals and universities as well as self-help support programs, including those run by the Anxiety Disorders Alliance - for information on Triumph Over Phobias groups call 1800 626 077 or (02) 9570 4126 or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder groups call 1800 626 055 or
(02) 9570 4519.
For mental health information and assistance in a language other than English contact the Transcultural Mental Health Centre on 1800 648 911 or (02) 9840 3800
Speak to your local doctor, community health centre or mental health team.
Disclaimer The information provided is to be used for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for seeking professional care in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Information may be reproduced with an acknowledgement to the Mental Health Association NSW. This, and other fact sheets are available for download from www.mentalhealth.asn.au. This fact sheet was last updated in Autumn 2003.
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