Anxiety refers to a group of disorders that are collectively the most common mental health condition in Australia (Healthdirect 2022).

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is an evolutionary safety mechanism that exists to keep humans safe from harm or danger by triggering the ‘fight or flight’ response (Black Dog Institute 2022).

It activates in response to a stressor, causing psychological and physical changes within the body so that the individual can confront the situation (Harvard Health Publishing 2020).

Every person experiences anxiety during their life - it’s normal and often helpful. However, in some cases, anxiety is unnecessarily constant and overwhelming, and interferes with a person’s ability to go about their daily lives. This could indicate an anxiety disorder (Smith et al. 2023; Healthdirect 2022).

Anxiety disorders may disrupt several aspects of a person’s life, including their ability to concentrate, sleep or perform daily tasks. It may also cause an individual to avoid certain situations or leaving the house. In some cases, it can cause physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, a pounding heart or trembling hands (Healthdirect 2022).

Types of Anxiety Disorders

As per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), anxiety is separated into two categories:

(APA 2021a, b, 2022a, b)

How Common is Anxiety?

The most recent National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022) found that almost 17% of Australians had experienced an anxiety disorder in the past 12 months.

Anxiety is more common in women, with 21% of women experiencing an anxiety disorder during the past 12 months compared to 12.4% of men (ABS 2022).

Causes of Anxiety

It’s believed that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality and stressful life events such as:

• Unpredictable new situations (e.g. changing schools or jobs, or travelling)
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Relationship issues
• Bereavement
• Financial or work problems
• Abuse
• Excessive use of drugs or alcohol
• Physical health problems.

(SANE 2023; Healthdirect 2022)

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

The symptoms of each specific anxiety disorder are set out in the DSM-5-TR, each with individual diagnostic criteria that should be met.

In a more general sense, there are some common symptoms that will often apply to anxiety disorders:

Psychological Symptoms

An individual may:

• Have excessive feelings of worry and fear about the past, present or future
• Feel apprehensive or powerless
• Feel as if something bad or dangerous is about to happen
• Have difficulty thinking about anything other than anxious thoughts
• Be tense and on edge
• Feel nervous or scared
• Panic
• Be irritable or agitated
• Worry that they are ‘going crazy’
• Feel detached from their body.

(Black Dog Institute 2022; Healthdirect 2022)

Psychical Symptoms

Physical symptoms are responses to fight or flight mode that would occur in the case of real danger (SANE 2018). They include:

• Pounding heart
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Trembling or twitching
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• ‘Pins and needles’
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Excessive thirst.

(Black Dog Institute 2022; Healthdirect 2022)

Behavioural Symptoms

Avoidance of certain situations that may cause anxiety, which can impact the person’s everyday life.

(Healthdirect 2022)

Diagnosing Anxiety

Refer to the DSM-5-TR for the full list of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Treatment and Management

There is a range of effective treatments for anxiety. Treatment generally falls within three categories:

1. Psychological treatments including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, mindfulness therapy, counselling etc.
2. Medication
3. Self-help and alternative therapies such as exercise, meditation, relaxation techniques, yoga and acupuncture.

(Black Dog Institute 2020)

Treatment may differ depending on the kind of anxiety disorder a person is experiencing and may involve a combination of the above strategies. Treatment should be individualised (Black Dog Institute 2020).

Anxiety is treatable and can be managed so that its impact on a person’s life lessens significantly. In some cases, it can be eliminated entirely (SANE 2023).

If you’re in crisis and need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Lifeline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.