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Anxiety disorder is the most common mental health condition in Australia. According to Better Health Channel, 25% of the population (one in four people) have anxiety disorder and up to 25% have less severe anxieties such as fear of snakes and spiders. 

Everyone experiences fear and anxiety in their lifetime. It is a normal human emotion that can be helpful in dealing with danger. However, when people experience excessive and irrationally overwhelming anxieties and worries that cause ongoing distress, interfering with their daily lives, it can impact all aspect of their life. This may indicate an anxiety disorder. Often there appears to be no obvious or logical reason for the way the person feels. 

Anxiety disorders can be identified as a group of mental health problems such as generalised anxiety disorders, social phobias, specific phobias (including claustrophobia and agoraphobia), and panic disorders. Depression is often related to anxiety disorders. 

Many sufferers might not even realise the challenges they experience are anxiety disorder. Growing up with a carer experiencing anxiety, or a cultural group that limits social interactions, or experiencing anxiety as a child, may result in these feelings being considered  “normal”, or identified as simply being  uncomfortable, tense or upset. Further, going through difficult life situations such as a relationship break down/ death of a loved one, experiencing domestic violence/violence or a major accident can trigger anxiety disorder. 

Symptoms of anxiety disorder

The main symptoms of an anxiety disorder are fears / thoughts that are chronic (frequent) and distressing and that interfere with daily living. Other symptoms of an anxiety disorder may include:

• Anxiety or panic attacks or been fearful of attacks
• Experiencing physical anxiety reactions such as sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, faintness, difficulties in breathing or nausea
• Avoidance behaviour – avoiding situations and places due to fear of anxiety or panic attack. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalised anxiety is constant and overwhelming worrying about everyday things. The focus of the anxiety might be health, family or friends, money, work, forgetting important appointments or the future.

Panic Disorder

People with panic disorder experience frequent panic attacks and a strong and persistent fear of another attack occurring.

The symptoms include:

• Shallow breathing / struggling to breathe
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Trembling
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Pins and needles, or numbness in various part of their body such as hands, legs and face. 

Social Anxiety

Overwhelming concern of embarrassing themselves in the social situations. People who experience social anxiety can avoid meeting new people or social places (e.g., eating in public situations, shopping centres, school, and social gatherings).

An anxiety disorder can lead to social isolation and clinical depression, impacting a person’s ability to study, work and daily living. It can also impact relationships with friends, family and colleagues. It is common for depression and anxiety to happen at the same time.

Specific Phobia

A person with a specific phobia experiences an irrational and persistent fear of a particular situation or object. Fear can include animals, storms, blood or other objects or situations. Usually, the fear is excessive or unreasonable. However, their need to avoid places, objects or people can cause significant restrictions in their life.

Agoraphobia – Excessive fear of being in open places.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Compulsive constant need to check things. Example- checking multiple times whether they have switched off stove / iron or checking the door / garage door is closed. People who engage in this behaviour may feel shameful and try to keep it a secret.   

Treatment for Anxiety Disorder

Finding the triggers or cause of the anxiety is important when deciding an appropriate treatment plan. Recovery from an anxiety disorder is possible. Evidence based effective treatments for anxiety disorders can include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – identifying and changing thinking pattern, beliefs and behaviours that trigger anxiety.
• Exposure therapy – gradually exposing the person to situations that cause anxiety, starting with the lease fearful situation and progressing to the hardest.
• Anxiety management and relaxation techniques – relaxation exercise, meditation, controlled breathing techniques and counselling.
• Medication – Some people might need medication to manage the symptoms especially in the beginning of the treatment.

Once the person learns how to manage anxiety and what they need to do in anxious situations, they gain the ability to control their anxiety and be comfortable in the situation.

References:

• https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anxiety-disorders
• American Psychiatric (2013)

If you are experiencing anxiety, book an appointment with Jayani Jayatilake, Peaceful Mind Counselling. 

Contact 0426 191 010 or send us a message.

A highly experienced Counsellor, Jayani Jayatilake has a Masters Degree in Social Work. Jayani believes that the client is an expert in his/her own situationand encourages clients to take an active role in their recovery by helping them to recognise and acknowledge their own strengths, resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming barriers to improve their quality of life.