What Is Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety is a common emotion that everyone feels at times. It can show up as feelings of nervousness, unease, worry, panic or fear about what might happen. In some cases, a bit of anxiety is useful, for example, worrying about your health might prompt you to book a doctor’s appointment. But when anxiety becomes overwhelming, it can start to disrupt daily routines.
When does Anxiety become a Disorder?
It’s normal to feel anxious under pressure or when facing a challenging situation, and usually those feelings ease once the stressor is gone. However, if strong or irrational anxiety lingers for no apparent reason, it may signal an anxiety disorder. About 25% of people will develop an anxiety disorder at some point in their life, with women being more prone to it.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several forms of anxiety disorders, and some individuals may experience more than one. Common types include:
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): Ongoing, excessive worry and tension across various aspects of life without a clear cause.
- Panic disorder: Sudden, intense fear leading to a panic attack, which can involve heart racing, rapid breathing, sweating, nausea, dizziness or hot and cold flashes.
- Social anxiety disorder: Overwhelming worry about everyday social situations and fear of being judged, also called social phobia.
- Specific phobias: Extreme fear of particular objects or scenarios, such as heights, spiders or flying.
Anxiety often occurs alongside other conditions, such as:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Repetitive thoughts and actions (e.g. counting, excessive handwashing) performed to reduce anxiety.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Persistent anxiety following a traumatic event like an accident, abuse or natural disaster.
What are the signs and symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder?
Everyday anxiety can show up as feeling tense, panicked, or sensing imminent danger, along with a racing heart, rapid breathing, sweating, and trembling. However, when anxiety becomes a clinical concern, you might notice more persistent or severe signs:
- Persistent anxiety that doesn’t fade
- Uncontrollable thoughts that keep looping
- Difficulty settling your mind
- Fatigue or constant tiredness
- Trouble focusing or remembering things
- Muscle stiffness
- Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling or staying asleep)
- Changes in appetite
- Nausea or a fluttering “butterflies” feeling in the stomach
Anxiety can also alter your behaviour and reduce your quality of life. You may begin to avoid conversations, skip social events, steer clear of places that trigger you, or turn to substance misuse, like alcohol or drugs, to manage your feelings.
What causes Anxiety Disorders?
In most cases, anxiety disorders arise from a mix of factors:
- Family history, a genetic link if mental health issues run in your family
- Coexisting mental health conditions
- Personality traits, such as perfectionism, low self-worth, or a need for control
- Prolonged stress or major life changes
- Traumatic experiences, like abuse, war, accidents, natural disasters
- Other physical health problems
- Substance misuse, including alcohol, sedatives or other drugs
- Withdrawal from drugs or alcohol
Diagnosis of Anxiety Disorders
To determine if someone has an anxiety disorder, a clinician will review your personal health history, explore any familial patterns of mental health issues, and discuss your current experiences. They may ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire or order tests to rule out other medical conditions. These steps allow for an accurate evaluation.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
There are various strategies to manage anxiety, and what works can differ from person to person. Depending on your individual symptoms, options may include7:
- Lifestyle adjustments, such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, stress reduction practices, ensuring sufficient sleep, and scheduling personal downtime
- Relaxation and mindfulness practices, for example meditation, yoga, or guided imagery
- Psychological therapies, including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which helps reshape unhelpful thought patterns and reduce triggers
- Behaviour Therapy, which encourages enjoyable activities to break cycles of worry
- Medication
You can also explore a variety of online therapy programmes; more information is available on the Australian Government’s Head to Health website.
Complications of untreated Anxiety
If left unaddressed, anxiety can intensify, sometimes leading to social withdrawal and depression. It may hinder your capacity to work, study or manage everyday activities, and can strain personal relationships. In some cases, anxiety co-occurs with depression, which raises the risk of suicide.
When to see a Doctor
You should consult your GP if anxiety is disrupting your life. Ask about a mental health care plan and a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist. See your doctor when:
- You struggle to control your fear and worrying
- You feel persistently low or depressed
- Anxiety interferes with your ability to work, study, or engage socially
- You suspect there may be another health issue contributing to your symptoms
If you experience suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 for urgent support.
How to support someone with Anxiety
If someone you know seems to be battling anxiety, you can help by:
- Asking if they’re okay and explaining your concern
- Listening without judging or offering unsolicited advice
- Encouraging them to see their doctor for professional help
- Assuring them that your conversation is confidential
- Reminding them there are effective treatments and this won’t last forever
- Letting them know you’re there to support them
You can also direct them to these Australian mental health services for further assistance:
- Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au
- Black Dog Institute: blackdoginstitute.org.au
- Headspace: headspace.org.au
- Lifeline: lifeline.org.au
- Kids Helpline: kidshelpline.com.au
- ReachOut Australia: au.reachout.com
- SANE Australia: sane.org
- Open Minds: openminds.org.au