Anxiety affects our whole being.
It affects:
- how we feel
- how we behave
- and has very real physical symptoms
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress or danger, however constant feelings of tension and apprehension may be due to an anxiety disorder, and may need assessment by a qualified Health Professional such as a Doctor for a correct diagnosis and treatment. Anxiety disorders can often make life difficult, and can vary from mild feelings of being out of sorts to a very debilitating condition that interferes with daily life and well being. Most anxiety disorders can be treated successfully, usually with a combination of counseling and medicines.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in Australia. One in four people may experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their life.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anxiety can vary from person to person and may include but are not limited to :
• Feeling irritable, restless or out of control
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• A fear that something bad will happen
• A fast heart beat
• Sweating
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
• Trembling
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Tense muscles
• Chest pains or tightness
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• A feeling of choking or a lump in the throat
• Fatigue
• Visual disturbances.
These symptoms may be part of a normal reaction to stress or danger, but they tend to be worse and last for longer when due to an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders
There are several different forms of anxiety disorder including:
Generalised anxiety disorder
A generalised anxiety disorder involves excessive, almost constant anxiety and worry about something such as work, money, health, relationships or safety.
Phobias
A phobia is an intense fear of something (e.g., heights, animals, closed spaces, social situations). A person with a phobia will try to avoid what they fear and this behaviour can significantly interfere with their life.
Panic disorder
People with panic disorder have sudden, spontaneous attacks of intense fear and anxiety (‘panic attacks’) which may or may not be associated with a stressful or threatening situation. A person experiencing a panic attack may feel like they have lost control of their body and emotions.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
People with OCD have continual thoughts and fears (obsessions) that cause anxiety and lead them to continually repeat certain tasks or rituals (compulsions) in order to feel less anxious. For example, they may worry about cleanliness and need to wash their hands repeatedly, or be concerned that they did not lock a door and have to check it constantly. These tasks can be time consuming and interfere with daily life. People with this condition usually know their behaviour is not sensible, are embarrassed by it and try to hide it.
Important
Anxiety symptoms can be affected by:
• Some medical conditions (e.g., heart and thyroid problems)
• Some medicines (e.g., certain blood pressure medicines)
• Some addictive and illicit drugs.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a serious psychological reaction that some people develop after an extremely frightening or traumatic experience such as war, abuse, a natural disaster or a major accident. PTSD can develop a long time after the traumatic event is over.
Symptoms include intrusive memories, nightmares, numbed feelings, anxiety and/or depression.
Management
Treatment of an anxiety disorder often involves several different strategies including:
• Finding and avoiding triggers
• Counselling and psychological treatments to help a person change their thought patterns and the way they react to certain situations (e.g., cognitive behaviour therapy)
• Breathing and muscle relaxation techniques
• Physical exercise
• Medicines
Many people with anxiety problems may also have depression and may need help for both conditions.
Medicines
Prescription medicines for anxiety disorders include:
• Anti-anxiety and sedative medicines
• Antidepressant medicines.
Complimentary Medicines
There is a wide variety of complimentary medicines that may be suitable for mild anxiety, and you can speak to your Doctor, Pharmacist or Naturopath for further advice.
Self care
• Share your anxious thoughts and feelings with someone you trust.
• Learn about your anxiety disorder and how to manage it.
• Exercise at a moderate level for at least 30 minutes on all or most days of the week, to improve general health and wellbeing, sleep and mood.
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques to relax your body and mind.
• Get adequate sleep and relaxation.
• Eat a healthy, well balanced diet, including plenty of fruit, vegetables and grain foods. Limit foods high in fat, sugar or salt.
• Don’t smoke. Nicotine may worsen anxiety symptoms.
• Limit alcohol. It may worsen anxiety symptoms
• Limit caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks). It may worsen anxiety symptoms.
Getting help
Help is available for people with anxiety disorders and their families and friends. Doctors, psychologists and counsellors can give professional help and there are community support groups for many types of anxiety disorders.
For more information
A doctor – listed under ‘Medical Practitioners’ in the yellow pages of the phone book.
Beyond Blue – Info Line phone 1300 22 4636 or website www.beyondblue.org.au or youth website www.ybblue.com.au
Kids Helpline – phone 1800 55 1800 or website www.kidshelp.com.au
Lifeline – phone 13 11 14 (24 hours, Australia-wide) or website www.lifeline.org.au
Mental Health Council of Australia phone (02) 6285 3100 or website www.mhca.org.au
Sane Australia – phone 1800 187 263 or website www.sane.org
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets – your pharmacist can advise on availability.
Medicines Line – phone 1300 888 763 Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST.
The Poisons Information Centre – in case of poisoning phone 131 126 from anywhere in Australia.
* This information has been prepared by Sue Crawford, a registered and practicing Pharmacist for the benefit of the Women Can International Inc community. It is intended as an awareness raising, general information article and not specific advice. Please seek the services of a Medical or Mental Health Practitioner if you recognise or are concerned about any of these symptoms in your own life.
Fabulous information, Sue. Looking at the symptoms I can see that there is someone in my world who really needs to read this article.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.