Facing Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of fear or imminent disaster and is a normal emotional response to danger. Danger can come in all forms and what will make one person anxious may not create the same response in someone else. Things like breaking up, concern about exams or a fight with a friend may cause you to feel anxious. Everyone feels some anxiety at different times during their life. It becomes a problem if you feel so anxious that it interferes with your normal day-to-day activities. If this occurs you may want to talk to your local doctor, a clinical psychologist or a counselor about ways to manage your anxiety
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
The symptoms of anxiety depend on a number of factors. They may pass quickly or may stay for a long period of time. If you or a friend has some or many of these symptoms it may be worth talking to your doctor, a clinical psychologist or a counselor about ways to reduce anxiety
Some more common symptoms include:
> irritability or being in a constant bad mood
> difficulty concentrating
> difficulty getting to and staying asleep
> apprehension or a constant feeling that something bad is about to happen
> dry mouth and/or difficulty swallowing
> nightmares
> muscle tension and headaches
> rapid heart rate and breathing
> sweating
> trembling
> diarrhoea
> flare-up of an illness (e.g. dermatitis, asthma)
> sexual problems
What can I do to manage my anxiety?
Changing your lifestyle
There are many things that you can do to decrease anxiety in your life. Look at the things that are causing you stress and, if possible, change your lifestyle to avoid or confront those things
Eating and exercise
When people feel anxious they often neglect themselves. Ensuring that you are eating healthy foods and regular meals as well as getting regular exercise may considerably reduce anxiety.
Relaxation
There are many ways to help you relax. There are also many self-help books, which tell you different ways to relax. Some ideas may be going for a walk, doing a class like yoga or Tai Chi, learning to meditate or playing footy with a friend.
Talking
Bottling things up is likely to keep your anxiety levels high. If possible, talk to a friend about the things that are making you anxious and see if they can be resolved.
People like your local doctor, clinical psychologists, counselors, occupational therapists, social workers and youth workers will be able to help you with techniques to manage your anxiety. If things are really bad, medication is also available which a doctor or psychiatrist will be able to prescribe.
Helpful organisations and websites :
The Anxiety Disorders Foundation - An organisation which can help with information and advice:
PO Box 6198,
Shopping World,
North Sydney NSW 2060
or by phone 016 282 897 or
fax (02) 9716 0416
web address ANXIETY DISORDERS
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders
"A group of scientists committed to the idea of clinical practice being informed by research."
http://www.crufad.unsw.edu.au/
Other sites include: CALM CENTRE
http://www.nevdgp.org.au/geninf/health_info_search.htm
http://www.health.gov.au/hsdd/mentalhe/resources/whatis/anxiety.htm
Support our friends at Reachout! by visiting REACHOUT
Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of fear or imminent disaster and is a normal emotional response to danger. Danger can come in all forms and what will make one person anxious may not create the same response in someone else. Things like breaking up, concern about exams or a fight with a friend may cause you to feel anxious. Everyone feels some anxiety at different times during their life. It becomes a problem if you feel so anxious that it interferes with your normal day-to-day activities. If this occurs you may want to talk to your local doctor, a clinical psychologist or a counselor about ways to manage your anxiety
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
The symptoms of anxiety depend on a number of factors. They may pass quickly or may stay for a long period of time. If you or a friend has some or many of these symptoms it may be worth talking to your doctor, a clinical psychologist or a counselor about ways to reduce anxiety
Some more common symptoms include:
> irritability or being in a constant bad mood
> difficulty concentrating
> difficulty getting to and staying asleep
> apprehension or a constant feeling that something bad is about to happen
> dry mouth and/or difficulty swallowing
> nightmares
> muscle tension and headaches
> rapid heart rate and breathing
> sweating
> trembling
> diarrhoea
> flare-up of an illness (e.g. dermatitis, asthma)
> sexual problems
What can I do to manage my anxiety?
Changing your lifestyle
There are many things that you can do to decrease anxiety in your life. Look at the things that are causing you stress and, if possible, change your lifestyle to avoid or confront those things
Eating and exercise
When people feel anxious they often neglect themselves. Ensuring that you are eating healthy foods and regular meals as well as getting regular exercise may considerably reduce anxiety.
Relaxation
There are many ways to help you relax. There are also many self-help books, which tell you different ways to relax. Some ideas may be going for a walk, doing a class like yoga or Tai Chi, learning to meditate or playing footy with a friend.
Talking
Bottling things up is likely to keep your anxiety levels high. If possible, talk to a friend about the things that are making you anxious and see if they can be resolved.
People like your local doctor, clinical psychologists, counselors, occupational therapists, social workers and youth workers will be able to help you with techniques to manage your anxiety. If things are really bad, medication is also available which a doctor or psychiatrist will be able to prescribe.
Helpful organisations and websites :
The Anxiety Disorders Foundation - An organisation which can help with information and advice:
PO Box 6198,
Shopping World,
North Sydney NSW 2060
or by phone 016 282 897 or
fax (02) 9716 0416
web address ANXIETY DISORDERS
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders
"A group of scientists committed to the idea of clinical practice being informed by research."
http://www.crufad.unsw.edu.au/
Other sites include: CALM CENTRE
http://www.nevdgp.org.au/geninf/health_info_search.htm
http://www.health.gov.au/hsdd/mentalhe/resources/whatis/anxiety.htm
Support our friends at Reachout! by visiting REACHOUT
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