Anxiety Disorders
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 mental illness, which is a medical condition. Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. Common to all of these is an anxiety that 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 people may also experience depression, an eating disorder or another mental illness in addition to the anxiety they experience. Furthermore, some people may have problems with alcohol or drug abuse as a way to try to cope with their anxiety.
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.
About 1 in 10 Australians will develop an anxiety disorder at some stage
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:
- persistent, excessive or unrealistic worries (generalised anxiety disorder)
- compulsions and obsessions which they can't control (obsessive compulsive disorder)
- intense excessive worry about social situations (social anxiety disorder)
- panic attacks (panic disorder)
- 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
Follow us