Anxiety

This information is general and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a qualified health professional.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal human emotion. It's the feeling of worry, nervousness or unease we all experience from time to time, often in response to stressful situations. In small amounts, anxiety can even be helpful, keeping us alert and motivated.

However, when anxiety is ongoing, overwhelming or out of proportion to the situation, it can become a problem. If it starts to interfere with daily life, it may be an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are the most common group of mental health conditions in Australia, affecting around 1 in 4 Australians at some stage in their lives.

Types of anxiety

There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with different patterns of symptoms:

• Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): Excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday issues like health, work or finances.
• Social anxiety disorder: Intense fear of social or performance situations, often due to worry about being judged or embarrassed.
• Panic disorder: Repeated panic attacks, which are sudden, intense episodes of physical fear, and worry about having more attacks.
• Agoraphobia: Avoiding situations that might be difficult to leave or where help may not be available.
• Specific phobias: Intense fear of particular things, such as heights, animals or enclosed spaces.

Common experiences and everyday impacts

Anxiety affects people differently, but common experiences include:

• Feeling like something bad is about to happen
• Racing or pounding heart
• Shortness of breath or dizziness
• Sweating, trembling or a churning stomach
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety

Anxiety can affect work, study, relationships and physical health. Some people experience panic attacks, which can feel frightening but are not dangerous. The impact varies from person to person, and many people learn to manage their anxiety effectively with the right support.

Support options and seeking professional help

If anxiety is affecting your everyday life, your GP is a good first step. They can assess your symptoms, develop a mental health treatment plan and refer you to a psychologist or other mental health professional. Treatment options may include:

• Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and reducing caffeine
• Psychological therapy, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
• Medication, prescribed and monitored by a doctor

You can also contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 (24/7) for free support and information.

Supporting someone with anxiety

If someone you know is experiencing anxiety, you can help by:

• Listening without judgement and taking their feelings seriously
• Learning about anxiety so you understand what they're going through
• Encouraging them to seek professional help if anxiety is affecting their life
• Being patient, as recovery takes time
• Looking after your own wellbeing too

Reliable Australian resources

• Healthdirect — Anxiety
• Beyond Blue — Anxiety
• Black Dog Institute — Anxiety

Sources

• Healthdirect Australia — Anxiety (healthdirect.gov.au/anxiety)
• Beyond Blue — Anxiety (beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/anxiety)
• Black Dog Institute — Anxiety (blackdoginstitute.org.au)
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare — Mental health (aihw.gov.au)

Need support? Contact your GP, a mental health professional, or call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).