{"id":6449,"date":"2022-11-29T03:28:36","date_gmt":"2022-11-29T03:28:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accesspsych.com.au\/?p=6449"},"modified":"2022-11-30T01:13:59","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T01:13:59","slug":"anxiety-what-is-it-psychologist-for-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.accesspsych.com.au\/staging\/anxiety-what-is-it-psychologist-for-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Anxiety: what is it and how can you get help"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is anxiety?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Feeling stressed or worried is normal – no need to see a psychologist for anxiety just yet. However, if you feel stressed or worried for no reason, if you feel the same when the \u2018obvious\u2019 cause has gone, or if your sense of stress and worry persists a lot longer than usual (or worse, doesn’t go away), you might have anxiety.<\/p>\n

If this sounds like you, don\u2019t worry. Anxiety is very common. One quarter of Australians will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime[i]<\/a>. This article will educate you on the different types of anxiety, symptoms of anxiety and the common treatments.<\/p>\n

Are there different types of anxiety?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Anxiety doesn\u2019t come in one form. There are many different types of anxiety disorder, and you might find yourself experiencing symptoms of different types at any one time.<\/p>\n

Below, we\u2019ve given you an overview of some of the main types of anxiety, along with giving you a few of the defining characteristics of each.<\/p>\n

Remember, self-diagnosing an anxiety disorder is never a good idea, which is why it\u2019s vital to seek the support of a medical professional if you\u2019re experiencing symptoms of anxiety.<\/p>\n

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Everyone feels anxious from time to time. This is especially true when there\u2019s something stressful going on in your life, like if you\u2019re going through a divorce.<\/p>\n

If you have feelings of anxiety most days and you find yourself worrying about different things for six months or more, you might have generalised anxiety disorder.<\/p>\n

Social anxiety:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not unusual to feel shy or uncomfortable in social situations, especially if you\u2019re meeting new people for the first time or attending a big event.<\/p>\n

However, being outright scared of being criticised, embarrassed or humiliated when you\u2019re with people or out in public could be a sign of social anxiety.<\/p>\n

Specific phobias<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Everyone is scared of something, but phobias go beyond being scared or not wanting to do something. Phobias strong, and often irrational, fear of something that often poses no real danger.<\/p>\n

For example, if you have nyctophobia \u2013 an extreme fear of the dark \u2013 you might find it extremely difficult to go to sleep without a light on, even with nothing to fear.<\/p>\n

Panic disorder<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A panic disorder involves sudden \u2013 often within a few minutes \u2013 and severe bouts of intense anxiety that can be difficult to gain control of.<\/p>\n

You might also have shortness of breath and chest pain. If you\u2019re having panic attacks for more than a month, you could have a panic disorder.<\/p>\n

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) <\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you have obsessive compulsive disorder, you might experience invasive thoughts that can lead to anxiety. This is often followed by trying to \u201cfix\u201d the anxiety with particular behaviours or rituals.<\/p>\n

For example, you might notice yourself having invasive thoughts that you need to organise a cupboard in a certain way. These thoughts often leave you feeling unable to settle unless you have performed the task.<\/p>\n

Causes of anxiety<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The causes of anxiety are varied. Most anxiety disorders are the result of a range of interlinked factors and influences from the environment around you.<\/p>\n

Below, we\u2019ve listed some of the most common causes of anxiety, which range from genetics \u2013 such as a parent suffering from anxiety \u2013 to things like stressful events.<\/p>\n

Some of the most common causes of anxiety:<\/strong><\/h3>\n