Are you or someone you know experiencing panic attacks, worrying a lot, or feeling uneasy, stressed, irritated? Get the facts on anxiety disorders
What is an anxiety disorder?
An anxiety disorder is a medical condition. Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. Common to all of these is an anxiety, so overwhelming that it can interfere with a person’s ability to function day-to-day. A person may experience more than one anxiety disorder. Some may also experience depression with the anxiety, or have problems with alcohol or drug abuse.
How many people have an anxiety disorder?
About 1 in 10 Australians will develop anxiety disorders at some time in their lives – that is about 1,800,000 Australians. More women are affected than men.
What are the symptoms?
A person with an anxiety disorder will feel distressed a lot of the time for no apparent reason. An episode can be so severe it is immobilising. The person might have:
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persistent, excessive or unrealistic worries (generalised anxiety disorder)
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compulsions and obsessions which they can't control (obsessive compulsive disorder)
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intense excessive worry about social situations (social anxiety disorder)
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panic attacks (panic disorder)
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an intense, irrational fear of everyday objects and situations (phobia).
Other symptoms of anxiety disorders may include a pounding heart; difficulty breathing; upset stomach; muscle tension; sweating or choking; feeling faint or shaky.
What causes Anxiety Disorders?
The causes are not fully understood. It is likely that a particular anxiety disorder is a result of several interacting factors and is affected by stressful life events and personality traits.
More Information
For more information on anxiety including facts, diagnosis, treatment and where to go for help please refer to the following information.
> Anxiety - Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA)
> Anxiety Disorders - beyondblue
> Anxiety Disorders - SANE Australia
For more fact sheets, visit the A-Z Factsheets section.