Anxiety disorders are the most common group of mental health conditions in Australia, affecting millions of people each year.
Australian Institute of Health and WelfareDo you feel afraid when going to an interview, during exams, or when attending an event like graduation? If so, you’re not alone. Anxiety is common, and almost everyone goes through it in tough situations.
It’s commonly known as the fight-or-flight response that your body triggers to face challenges. It’s helpful if it’s short-term, but becomes problematic once it starts disrupting daily activities, including your personal and social life or even your sleep cycle; that’s when it is called an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety not only affects your mind, but also your body. Some symptoms include: constant, excessive worrying; panic attacks; an increased heart rate; muscle tension; social anxiety; and even physical symptoms.
Millions of people suffer from this in Australia every year, and while it’s so common, the good news is it’s treatable. With the right resources, people can manage their anxiety and live their lives again with no issues.
However, knowing your symptoms is the first step to help. Which is why in this guide we will cover anxiety disorders, their types, symptoms, causes, diagnostic methods, and how to get anxiety treatment in Adelaide.
Key Takeaways
- Anxiety disorders are not the same as normal stress or worry, but are recognised mental health disorders which impact thinking, feelings, physical health, and life functioning.
- The most common symptoms include: constant worry; panic attacks; and muscle tension among many others.
- There are countless anxiety disorders that differ in symptoms and the treatment required for them.
- Anxiety is most effectively treated with either therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, or a combination of all three.
- Earlier intervention with mental health support is likely to yield better results and professional anxiety treatment is available from GP’s, Psychologists and Psychiatrists in Adelaide.
What Is an Anxiety Disorder?
Most anxiety disorders involve episodes that result in panic attacks within minutes of intense fear and nervousness. What sets this apart from short-term anxiety is that it isn’t limited to stressful events; even the lack of a stressor does not relieve the disorder.
Experiencing these episodes can alter the daily course of a person’s life. The episodes are long, uncontrollable, and difficult to manage. People going through it start avoiding social life so they can feel safe. People living through it usually describe how this feeling affects. For example, some people may say their thoughts seem trapped in a loop. Other people feel as if they are waiting for something terrible to happen, even when good things are happening around them.
Anxiety disorders are not caused by a person’s inability to manage their own anxiety, and they cannot be cured by a person’s willpower. They develop due to a combination of many different factors, and can occur in people of all ages, genders, and races. The following explains anxiety disorders in contrast to short-term anxiety.
Normal Anxiety vs Anxiety Disorder
Normal Anxiety is often experienced by people in routine, and it usually fades after the event. But that’s not the case in anxiety disorders; it’s frequent, more intense, and stays longer.
Often, there is no clear reason for these feelings, and unlike normal anxiety, it’s difficult for a person to attend work, school, or social gatherings when a person experiences this. Before moving on to symptoms, it’s important to first understand the differences between normal anxiety and anxiety disorders, as listed in the chart below.
Normal Anxiety | Anxiety Disorder |
Usually tied to a stressful event. | May happen with no clear reason, or happen long after the stressful event is over. |
Temporary and improves as the situation resolves. | Lasting, repeating, or impossible to control feelings. |
Causes some stress, but doesn’t have a big impact on a person’s life. | Affects a person’s work, relationships, school, and everything else about a person’s well-being. |
Helps people respond to challenges or potential threats | Anxiety disorder is intense and may lead to avoidance, distress, or ongoing physical symptoms. |
Anxiety doesn’t usually get better with time. | It can get better with a mental health professional’s assessment and evidence-based treatment. |
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Although Anxiety Disorders share many of the same symptoms, like excessive fear and worry, they manifest a variety of symptoms. By knowing the types of anxiety disorders, you can identify symptoms more and know which type of support is needed.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalised Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common types of anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in Australia. People suffering from GAD are always looking for possible things to worry about.
The fears are not limited to one single thing and are always evolving. Most of the fears are related to health, finances, job, relationships, and even daily activities.
The exhausting aspect of GAD is the non-stop mental effort required to address all these worries that never end. Although one knows how to deal with them all, one is aware that it is overwhelming, yet one cannot find any way to control them.
Consequently, one ends up with psychological fatigue, characterised by persistent nervousness, exhaustion, and daytime agitation.
It causes impaired sleep, easy distraction, and increased irritability. Many Adelaide residents have GAD and don’t even realise they can be treated.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that consists of sudden episodes of panic attacks. The symptoms usually involve a racing heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, dizziness, chills, rapid heartbeat, and trembling. Many people who experience panic attacks say it’s close to a heart attack.
As these signs have a physical nature, most individuals consider themselves as having a heart attack or some other major medical problem at first. Once the individual experiences a few more panic attacks, the fears change from the attack itself to what triggers it next time.
Avoidance follows. Sometimes, people choose to avoid social engagements like going to the mall, riding public transportation, and attending social events because they feel safe in their comfort zones.
Although avoiding these activities will provide some form of respite from anxiety in such circumstances, it will do nothing but help make one more fearful over time.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder is not just mere shyness. It is an intense fear of being evaluated negatively by others.
Social Anxiety Disorder makes the simplest of tasks difficult. Acts such as conversing in a meeting, interacting with other people, eating in public spaces, calling up people, and talking are sources of anxiety.
People suffering from this have a hard time controlling overthinking. Because of this, they begin to neglect social events and gatherings that are extremely important for their social and work relationships.
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an intense fear of a particular object or situation, such as flying, heights, needles, spiders, or enclosed spaces.
The thought of this phobia causes a sense of anxiety, while being exposed to it causes immediate physiological reactions like shaking, sweating, dizziness, and even heart palpitations. The individual may know that the fear is irrational, but feels very real to him.
To overcome the situation, avoidance of the object becomes necessary, though this makes daily functions difficult. On the bright side, however, specific phobias are very easily treatable using psychology.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Although commonly associated with toddlers and infants, preschool children also experience Separation Anxiety Disorder when they become very upset, especially when left by their parents or guardians. For example, children may cry and become fussy when dropped off at daycare centres
The disorder can also affect adolescents and adults. Unlike children, adults and teens experience a very strong fear and anxiety when separated from their loved ones. They also worry that something might happen to the people they love, or that they might lose them.
Related Conditions
You may also hear about OCD and PTSD. These are also commonly discussed with anxiety disorders, as anxiety is a symptom. However, they’re not classified as a type of anxiety; instead, they are considered separate mental health conditions and require their own assessment and treatment approach.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorder symptoms can affect the way you think, feel, behave, and even how your body responds. While the types of anxiety disorders vary from person to person, there are some common signs and symptoms.
Here are some of the most common signs of anxiety.
Emotional | Physical | Behavioural & Cognitive |
Persistent worry or fear | Racing heartbeat | Avoiding certain people, places, or situations |
Feeling overwhelmed | Muscle tension | Inability to Concentrate |
Irritability | Sweating | Constantly expecting the worst |
Restlessness | Trembling or shaking | Seeking validation |
Feeling on edge | Shortness of breath | Overthinking or racing thoughts |
Feeling a sense of impending danger | Dizziness | Trouble making decisions |
Panic or intense fear | Headaches or stomach discomfort | Difficulty relaxing |
Fatigue or poor sleep | Becoming withdrawn from work, study, or social activities |
What Causes Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders don’t have a single cause. They are usually a combination of biology, psychology, and surroundings of a person. Some people may be more at risk than others, but having some of these risk factors doesn’t mean you will develop anxiety disorders.
Here are some anxiety-causing risk factors.
- Genetics and family history: Research shows that having a family member with anxiety or some other type of mental illness may lead you to develop anxiety as well.
- Stress and Trauma: Childhood and adult trauma and major life stress and grief can lead to anxiety disorders.
- Brain chemistry: Some brain chemicals control emotions and may play a role in anxiety
- Physical health conditions: Anxiety is common in several chronic pain conditions, gastrointestinal issues, thyroid disorders, heart conditions, and several other medical issues.
- Lifestyle factors: Caused by poor lifestyle habits. Poor sleep, excessive caffeine/alcohol/substance use, and chronic stress also collectively contribute to anxiety.
Determining the cause of your anxiety may help select a treatment; however, anxiety disorders are complex and caused by different factors. There are many ways to treat and manage symptoms.
How Anxiety Disorders Are Diagnosed
Anxiety cannot be evaluated with the use of a single measure or test. The diagnosis of anxiety generally involves an extensive assessment of the individual, most of whom begin this process by consulting their general.
If you are experiencing chronic anxiety, panic, or other anxiety symptoms, your GP will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing, the duration and intensity of the symptoms and how they are affecting your daily life. You might also be asked about possible contributing factors to your physical health. Then, they might run a few tests on you to rule out other health issues.
Your GP will prepare a Mental Health Care Plan to provide you with Medicare rebates for psychological treatment. Depending on your symptoms, they can also refer you to a therapist or a psychiatrist to provide you with the psychotherapy or medication you may need.
However, it is necessary to understand that no single anxiety test can give a definitive diagnosis. It involves many different healthcare assessments, clinical measurement scales, medical charts, and interviews about your personal life.
Also, if you are seeking a mental health assessment, that does not always conclude as an anxiety disorder. Instead, anxiety-related symptoms may be caused by any other stressors or temporary health-related concerns.
Professional assessments will also help determine what caused your symptoms and support other health-related concerns you may have.
Anxiety Disorder Treatment: Therapy, Medication and Self-Management
The disorders can be affected by many different factors that can alter a person’s daily life immensely. This often results in the person needing medication to cope on top of healthy habits and social therapy. Getting treatment early is good for the individual as well as for the people who interact with them.
Psychological Therapy
For many, therapy is the first treatment option used for anxiety disorders. There are many levels of treatment, including evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which help people understand thought patterns and develop healthier ways of responding to anxiety.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another form of therapy used to treat anxiety that is very effective. This type of therapy involves accepting sad thoughts and feelings and taking actions that are aligned with your own values. Your psychologist may incorporate therapies and mindfulness practices into your treatment.
Medication
For those with moderate to severe anxiety that has a negative impact on daily life, medication may be considered as part of anxiety treatment. Your doctor or psychiatrist will consider your preferences, history, and goals to determine if you should be prescribed medication. Medication, alongside therapy, is a powerful treatment option, but medication alone is not.
Self-Management and Lifestyle Support
Along with professional treatment, maintaining a positive routine can assist your recovery and enable you to better control your anxiety. Incorporating exercise, good sleeping and eating habits, less caffeine and alcohol, relaxation techniques, and good social habits can all be beneficial. Consistency will bring noticeable changes.
It is important to remember that recovery is not a straight line. Always consult a mental health professional to help you choose the best treatment options for your individual needs.
Getting Help for Anxiety in Adelaide
If anxiety negatively affects your relationships, work, studies, sleep, and daily living, it is important to seek professional help. Waiting to get help for anxiety will further negatively impact daily life. Getting help sooner rather than later will improve the outcome of anxiety treatment.
Anxiety is best managed by starting the conversation with your GP. They’ll examine you, listen to all your concerns, and rule out any physical health concerns before drafting a Mental Health Care Plan (if appropriate) that may provide access to psychotherapy rebates under Medicare.
If appropriate, your GP will refer you to a psychologist to start anxiety therapy using evidence-based practices. If your anxiety is more complex, your GP will refer you to a psychiatrist to discuss anxiety medications.
Finding anxiety services in Adelaide can be daunting, but when you focus on evidence-based, personalised services that respond to your needs, your search will be easier. Elyséa HEALTH is an anxiety- and mental health-focused practice offering evidence-based, professional care. We collaborate with you to understand your symptoms and treatment goals. We aim to equip you with practical strategies to improve your mental health.
Remember, seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness: it’s an important step towards feeling better. With the right support, many people learn to manage anxiety successfully and regain confidence in their everyday lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs of an anxiety disorder?
The early symptoms of anxiety most often consist of worrying most of the time, feeling tense or restless, having difficulty focusing, being irritable, having muscle tension, and experiencing sleep disturbance. Everyone shows anxiety in different ways, so if these symptoms are affecting your daily life, it’s best to reach out to a professional.
Can anxiety disorders be treated without medication?
Yes. A large amount of individuals are able to control anxiety successfully with anxiety therapy that is based on evidence, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). For other individuals, depending on how severe the symptoms are and other personal factors, medication is offered as a treatment option.
Should I see a psychologist or psychiatrist for anxiety?
In treating anxiety, psychologists utilise their skills to provide clinically proven therapies that assist with anxiety management. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are able to diagnose and treat mental illnesses through medication and are able to support people with more severe and complex symptoms. Your general practitioner can assist in determining the most appropriate point of contact for you.
How long does anxiety treatment take?
There is no set duration for anxiety treatment. The length of treatment for anxiety depends on factors like the treatment type and the individual symptoms. Some people notice improvements within a few weeks of therapy, while others benefit from longer-term support.
How can I access anxiety treatment in Adelaide?
If you’re looking for anxiety treatment in Adelaide, a good first step is to speak with your GP. They can assess your symptoms, discuss treatment options, and, if appropriate, refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Eligible Australians may also be able to access Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Care Plan.
Conclusion
Anxiety is a really tough mental health condition to deal with, and most people will need to seek out professional help to manage their anxiety. Being able to recognise the symptoms is a good sign that you will seek out mental health assistance.
The anxiety symptoms that you are experiencing can be improved with the right medications, therapy, and with the right lifestyle changes.
If you or a loved one is dealing with persistent anxiety, seeking professional help is a great starting point. Our team at Elyséa HEALTH consists of skilled psychologists and psychiatrists who offer caring, evidence-informed treatment to help you take the first steps to improving your mental health and wellbeing.
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