Anxiety Counselling
Guiding you towards mental and physical well-being with our anxiety counselling services.
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental disorders diagnosed in Australia. It is more than just feeling stressed, fearful, or worried, which we all experience from time to time. While anxiety is considered a natural reaction to a stressful situation, it becomes problematic when:
- Symptoms of anxiety become severe and/or excessive
- The anxiety starts interfering with daily life
- The anxiety persists for several months
- Symptoms are accompanied by fatigue, concentration difficulties, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance and restlessness.
If you're experiencing any of the above as a result of anxiety, you might have an anxiety disorder. Get in touch today to book an appointment with one of our psychologists. Or, use our online appointment form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
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What Is Anxiety?
Feelings of anxiety are extremely common and impact all of us during our lives. It’s that feeling of worry or stress, often triggered by “what if…?” thoughts. When feelings of anxiety begin to feel like the norm, and it interferes with daily life, we need to consider if an anxiety disorder is developing. Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
What Causes Anxiety?
The causes of anxiety vary. Often, they're a combination of biological, social, environmental, occupational, and psychological factors. For example, people with a family history of anxiety disorders may be more likely to develop them. Being in a stressful job, family or relationship conflict and social pressures (the list goes on) are common triggers for anxiety.
Environmental factors can also trigger or exacerbate anxiety. This includes stressful life events, trauma, or major life changes. Additionally, research indicates that imbalances in brain chemistry may also play a role; this involves neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Other potential causes include chronic medical conditions, substance abuse, and certain medications. Understanding the causes of anxiety is essential for effective treatment and management strategies.
How is Anxiety Different to Stress?
Stress and anxiety feel very similar, however, we use the term stress when there is an identifiable stressor, for example, an exam, or a job interview. Once the stressor has been dealt with, the feeling of stress disappears. However, anxiety is different, there doesn’t need to be an actual stressor, so it’s hard to overcome. Often, the trigger for anxiety is hypothetical, the endless “what if’s” and worst-case-scenario thinking, which we churn over and over in our minds, often during the middle of the night. Since there is no concrete stressor, it can persist.
We Believe That Your Mind Matters
At Your Mind Matters Psychology Services, we treat a range of anxiety conditions, including:
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder and feelings of Panic
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Specific Phobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Agoraphobia
If you are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and finding it difficult to cope, contact us today to book an appointment with one of our psychologists. Alternatively, use our online appointment form and we’ll get in touch.
Contact Us
Are you ready to take your life back from the grips of anxiety? Our psychologists are here to guide you every step of the way. We’re here to provide you with the support and tools you need to overcome anxiety.
Contact us today to learn more on how we can help you.
Get In Touch With Our Team
Medicare and Insurance
Although you’re most welcome to see us as a private, full fee-paying client, we encourage all of our client’s to see their GP for a Mental Health Care Plan. A Mental Health Care Plan is a support plan for someone wishing to access support with a psychologist and allows us to heavily subsidise (rebate) sessions using Medicare. Having a referral also allows us to collaborate with your GP, which improves treatment outcomes. A Mental Health Care Plan allows you to claim up to 10 individual sessions each calendar year. Alternatively, your private health insurance may also cover psychological therapy (please check with your insurance provider).
Anxiety Counselling FAQs
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches its peak within minutes. It can come with a host of physical symptoms. These include heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, dizziness, and nausea. It can also include shortness of breath, chest pain, and a feeling of impending doom.
Panic attacks can come out of nowhere or in response to specific triggers, making treatment options like cognitive behaviour therapy critical. They can also be frightening to experience. While not life-threatening, they can impact your day-to-day life if left untreated.
What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is having extreme worry and anxiety about life. This can be work, relationships, health, or finances, all common sources of anxiety symptoms that may benefit from relaxation techniques. Individuals often find it hard not to worry, even when there is no reason for concern.
Symptoms may include restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia. Physical symptoms include headaches or stomach aches. In the long term, GAD can impact daily functioning and quality of life.
Effective treatments include therapy, medication, and stress management techniques. These can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their well-being.
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) means you have intrusive, unwanted thoughts or obsessions. You also may have repetitive behaviours or compulsions done to try to ease anxiety, we call these “neutralising behaviours”.
Obsessions may include fears of contamination, doubts, or unwanted aggressive or taboo thoughts. Compulsions involve excessive hand washing, checking, counting, arranging objects in a specific way, and making bargains with yourself.
OCD can interfere with daily functioning and may cause distress or impairment. Treatment involves a combination of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and sometimes medication. This helps individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder is a huge fear of judgement while performing or in social spaces. People often experience extreme self-consciousness and fear of embarrassment or rejection. They may also avoid social situations, a common challenge that cognitive behaviour therapy aims to address.
Symptoms may include sweating, trembling, blushing, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and difficulty speaking. Social anxiety disorder can impact relationships, work, and daily activities. Anxiety counselling can help you manage your symptoms and improve your social functioning.
What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is characterised by excessive fear and anxiety of certain situations, often causing the person with agoraphobia to avoid leaving their home. It’s common for people struggling with agoraphobia to fear open spaces, crowds, and public transport, often due to the fear that they will not be able to escape, find safety, and tend to worry about having a panic attack in public.
Agoraphobia often develops as a complication of panic disorder, but it can also occur on its own. Treatment involves therapy, medication (sometimes), and gradual exposure to feared situations. This encourages individuals to overcome their fears and regain their independence.
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