Anxiety is associated with feelings of stress or worry. While all of us feel stressed or worried from time to time in different or new situations the anxious feelings usually pass once the stressful situation has passed, or ‘stressor’ is removed. For those who have difficulties managing their anxiety the feelings of stress and worry are ongoing and exist without any particular reason or cause. For many it can make it difficult for a person to cope with daily life and these feelings cannot be easily controlled.
Everyone is different and it’s often a combination of factors that can contribute to a person developing anxiety. It’s important to note that you can’t always identify the cause of it or change difficult circumstances. Some causes can be :
- Family history of mental health problems
- Ongoing stressful events (job stress or job change, change in living arrangements, family and relationship problems, verbal, sexual, physical or emotional abuse or trauma)
- Physical health problems ( diabetes, asthma, heart disease)
- Substance use
- Personality factors (people who are perfectionists, easily flustered, lack self-esteem or want to control everything, sometimes develop anxiety during childhood or as adults).
The most important thing is to recognise the signs and symptoms and to seek help. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can recover.
Anxiety Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms commonly experienced in those with Anxiety:
- Increased heart rate, sweating, chest pain;
- Trembling, breathing difficulties;
- Light headedness, tingling and numbness;
- Difficult to concentrate and sleep, panic attacks,
- Social anxiety, a phobia and specific fears;
- Loss of appetite and decreased eating
For more information on anxiety visit the beyond blue website
Myrtle Oak Clinic’s skilled clinicians provide effective, evidence based treatment for anxiety. The treatment is tailored to suit each individual client and the skills learnt will help you manage your anxiety so that it doesn’t manage you. Treatment will also include education on the way anxiety impacts on your physical and mental health. Furthermore the skills used to manage your anxiety will become lifelong skills that can be applied in other areas of your life. If you would like to find out more on treatment and counselling for anxiety disorders please contact us on 43 623 443 or visit the contact page on our website