What are anxiety disorders?
It is normal and necessary to experience anxiety in order to avoid dangerous situations and/or portect ourselves from making mistakes. Our anxiety can be useful to drive us to become more motivated, work harder, plan ahead and maintain healthy habits in order to avoid failure, frustrations, and life threatening illnesses. On the other hand, whilst our anxiety can be useful, in the absence of any real threat, it can also become overwhelming and stressful.
Anxiety takes the form of persistent worries about relationship, health, work, finances, family, and studies. It can also manifest because of phobias, past traumas, or social situations that trigger our fears and anxiety which negatively affects our daily functioning. Anxiety can also impact our joy and ability to reach optimal levels of calm and peace. Most people experience anxiety and in Australia, anxiety is the most common mental illness.
At times it is challenging to identify anxiety, especially when it is a recurring experience. Anxiety can be experienced physically, psychologically, and behaviourally. Physically, it involves fast breathing, increased heart rate, nausea, butterflies in the stomach and the like. Psychologically, you may have difficulty concentrating, making decisions, ruminating, thinking the worst (catastrophizing) and difficulty when faced with uncertainty. Many engage in avoidance behaviors in order to manage their anxiety – avoidance of situations, places, thoughts. Some may feel so anxious that they procrastinate and to some extent, use mood altering substances.
Although these symptoms are not definitive, when these symptoms persist, it might be best to seek help.There are different types of anxiety and it is possible that an individual experiences more than one at a time. Common types of anxiety are generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobia.
What is the difference of anxiety and panic attacks?
Panic attacks on the other hand, are extreme physical symptoms caused by brief periods of intense fear. Some of these symptoms include heartbeat racing, chest pain, dizziness, nausea, trembling, shortness of breath and the like. Those who have experienced panic attacks liken their experience to a heart attack. Panic attacks occur unexpectedly and they can happen even in moments of relaxation.
Anxiety Management Strategies
There are existing anxiety management strategies that can address the physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms of anxiety. It consists of focusing on our nervous system and calming our body’s muscle by muscle, which in turn relaxes our nerves. Another management strategy is engaging in mindfulness and meditation practices. Having better sleep quality, a balanced diet, and proper exercise are also effective in managing anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the effective treatments for anxiety disorders that are utilized by psychologists. It addresses both thought and behavioral patterns that are causing anxiety and distress. At Rising People Psychology, our psychologists are experienced practitioners of CBT and are capable of assisting you in coming up with a management plan that can fit your needs in dealing with your anxiety. In our online psychology sessions, CBT is applied by our psychologists to clients who are dealing with anxiety.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is also another effective treatment for anxiety which can be administered through online therapy. It teaches you to unhook from your thoughts, accept and make room for your feelings, practice mindfulness, psychological flexibility, values and self as context (being an observer).
Treating Anxiety Disorder at Rising People Psychology
Rising People Psychology offers help to people who are experiencing anxiety disorder through our face to face and online psychology services. Our psychologists are equipped with skills and expertise to employ effective strategies for managing anxiety disorders.
In order to access this type of support from our psychologists here at Rising People Psychology, you can book a session with us by clicking here. Our team will reach out to you within 48 hours to schedule your appointment. We have a standardized pricing structure for our therapy sessions which also caters to Medicare rebates when you have a mental health care plan. See our rates here.
Book an appointment now