What is Anxiety?

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried which usually leaves once a stressful situation has passed. Anxiety is the feeling of anxiousness that doesn’t subside and although everybody can experience anxiety from time to time, for someone experiencing anxiety, these feelings can’t be easily controlled.

Types of Anxiety

The three most common types of anxiety disorders are:

1. Generalised anxiety disorder – When a person feels anxious most days, worrying about lots of different things for a period of six months or more.
2. Social/specific phobia – When a person has an intense fear of being criticised, embarrassed or humiliated in everyday situations. It can also happen when a person feels fearful about a particular object or situation and may go to great lengths to avoid it i.e. travelling on planes.
3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – When a person has ongoing unwanted/intrusive thoughts and fears that cause anxiety. Although a person may acknowledge that these thoughts are ‘silly’, they often try to relieve their anxiety by carrying out certain behaviours or rituals.

Getting help!

Your symptoms may not go away on their own and if left untreated, they can start to take over your life.

These are some services available to help if you’re experiencing signs of anxiety disorder.

University of New south Wales

https://www.counselling.unsw.edu.au/ 

https://student.unsw.edu.au/anxiety

New South Wales

http://understandinganxiety.wayahead.org.au/support/support-groups/ 

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/helpful-contacts-and-websites

Information courtesy of Beyond Blue