Feeling anxious now and then is normal. Everyone, at some point or another, feels worried or afraid. But when anxiety gets in the way of living your life the way you want to, from school and work to relationships and hobbies, then seeking help in managing and reducing your degree of anxiety can make a positive change to your quality of life.
The urge to avoid or run away from things that frighten us is normal and healthy; it helps keep us safe from life-threatening situations. However, if worry, anxiety, and stress are frequent and prolonged, it may indicate that an anxiety disorder has developed.
Types and Causes of Anxiety Disorders
There are many types of anxiety disorders. Generalised anxiety disorder, anxiety about many different themes or topics such as health, school, work, or family, is experienced as excessive and uncontrollable and can also include physiological symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, or fatigue. Social anxiety disorder is a fear that happens in response to social situations (e.g., meeting new people, parties and social gatherings, or being watched doing something such as eating or writing). A person often fears doing something embarrassing or that others may judge or evaluate them negatively. There are also specific phobias that involve being afraid of a particular thing or situations, such as dogs, elevators, or thunderstorms.
Other types of anxiety disorders include panic disorder and agoraphobia. Obtaining an anxiety diagnosis in Brisbane is a good way to determine which type you have and the best way to treat it.
Anxiety disorders may be caused by a family history of anxiety disorders, an imbalance of the chemicals that regulate emotions, or a traumatic event, such as sexual abuse, physical injury, or a relationship breakup. Other times, the cause of the anxiety disorder may not be immediately apparent, but seeking anxiety help in Brisbane from a service such as The Psychology Hub can help you pinpoint the cause of your anxiety and begin working toward permanent solutions.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Sometimes it can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of anxiety because it can cause all sorts of other symptoms besides the mere nagging feeling of worry we tend to associate with anxiety. Some of the additional symptoms you may experience include:
- Extreme worry or fear
- Inability to concentrate
- Trouble with memory
- Impatience or nervousness
- Sleep disturbances
- Racing or pounding heart, feeling of tightness in chest
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth and trouble swallowing
- Abdominal pain
Everyone is different, so you may experience all of these or only one or two.
WHERE TO LOOK FOR ANXIETY TREATMENTS IN BRISBANE
If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, or just feel that you have too much stress and need better ways of coping with it, The Psychology Hub can help. At The Psychology Hub, we provide assessment and treatment for anxiety conditions including generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobia, panic attacks, and more. We offer a variety of treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and solution-focused therapy. And we offer all of this at lower rates than the $238 per hour recommended by the APS – while still placing our primary focus on top-quality client care.
If you are one of the many people suffering from anxiety in Brisbane, let us help. Feel free to explore the resources on our website or give us a call on 1300 3666 14. We look forward to working with you to help you take charge of your anxiety and get back to living your life.
