Understanding Anxiety
3 million Australians are living with anxiety or depression
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. On average, one in four people.
One in three women and one in five men, will experience anxiety at some stage in their life.
In a 12-month period, over two million Australians experience anxiety.
Anxiety is common, but the sooner people with anxiety get support, the more likely they are to recover.
Anxiety is...
Over estimating the danger
and...
Underestimating your ability to cope
Types of Anxiety
Chronic stress and feelings of pending doom.
Often experienced by children and teens with a fear of leaving parents and caregivers. Separation causing great distress.
Fear of socialising, longing to stay home, fear of embarrassment or something going wrong when you go out.
Fear of public speaking that can feel overwhelming or even crippling
Panic attacks and extreme physical response to stress and anxiety.
An extreme fear of a place, person or thing. Can be a specific phobia or generalised.
The Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Racing Thoughts
Rumination
Trouble Sleeping
Outburst of Anger
A sore or upset stomach
Grinding Teeth
Heart palpitations
Feeling of pending doom
Needing to go to be bathroom often
Feeling flushed and sweaty
Trembling and shaking
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Common Behaviours of Anxiety
When we reach the flight or fight response we can often use anger as a defence because we feel threatened
School refusal, upset tummy complaints and distress when leaving care giver
Low self-worth and self-esteem
A strategy to manage anxiety is to avoid people, places and situation that feel unsafe or unknown
Anxiety can turn up when its time to sleep and the mind is left alone and quiet.
Anxiety is associated with perfectionism, often self critical and prevents learning and accomplishments
Isolation
Low self-esteem
