Anxiety Disorder

What Anxiety Disorder Really Is and How to Take Back Control

Anxiety is a mental and physical unease about future events, resulting in the activation of the stress response. These feelings of unease can stem from real or imagined threats. Anxiety is a common, normal emotion and a vital part of everyday life. It's the body's response to perceived danger that can help maximise our chances of survival. Still, when anxiety occurs without apparent provocation or is excessive, it will be diagnosed as a disorder (disruption to normal functioning). This extreme Anxiety results in deterioration in performance and emotional and physical discomfort.

Anxiety disorders are an exaggerated fear or tension that causes psychological and physical distress affecting the heart, nervous system, cognition and skin. Some common symptoms of anxiety are;

Muscle tension
Increased heart rate
Chest pain
Increased respiration rate
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Sleep problems
Obsessive overthinking
Avoidance
Anger
Moping
Headaches
Panic Attacks

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia, affecting 1 in 4 people. Anxiety disorders come in many forms, which are distinguished from one another by characteristic clusters of symptoms.

The Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is excessive anxiety and worry that are intense and persistent, interfere with the individual's everyday life, and that the individual finds difficult to control. Generalised anxiety can occur in children and adults, but you are at a higher risk if you have a family history, have suffered trauma or have been in a long-term high-stress environment.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation Anxiety Disorder revolves around anxiety concerning separation from home or attachment figures. It is most common in infants and young children, with symptoms ranging from anticipatory uneasiness to full-blown anxiety about segregation. However, adults can also experience separation anxiety, which can manifest in a variety of different ways; for example, you may excessively contact a loved one to check in while at work.

Specific Phobia

A specific phobia is a marked or intense fear of a particular object or situation, such as flying, needles, blood or heights. The phobia generally triggers an immediate reaction upon contact. It is common for people with specific phobias to have more than one unrelated phobia; for example, you may experience a phobia around spiders and while driving.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety is an intense fear of social situations in which others may scrutinise the individual, including social interaction, being observed and performing in front of others. This form of anxiety can occur while in a social situation but can also include ongoing fears and overthinking about future meetings, parties or meeting new people.

Panic Disorder

A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or exceptional discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, shaking, sweating and nausea or abdominal distress. While panic attacks are experienced by about 5% of Australians at some point in their lives, panic disorder is when these attacks recur.

Treatment

There is a broad range of treatment options available for various anxiety disorders. Consult a trained professional to be diagnosed with the correct disorder and advised on appropriate treatment options. Psychological treatment is usually the first line, while medication can also help in more severe cases.

Treatment may include talking to a psychologist who attempts to adapt your thinking patterns to manage your anxiety symptoms better while reducing irrational worries. Therapies may include:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Cognitive behaviour therapy is a practical treatment approach for a range of mental and emotional health issues, including anxiety. Cognitive behaviour therapy is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. Its goal is to positively change patterns of thinking or behaviour, thereby minimising anxiety's impact over time.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person's present behaviour. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are to increase a client's self-awareness and understanding of how the past influences current behaviour. The healing and change process envisioned in long-term psychodynamic therapy typically requires at least two years of sessions. This is because the goal of treatment is often to change an aspect of one's identity or personality, or to integrate critical developmental learning that was missed. At the same time, the client was stuck at an earlier stage of emotional development.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combines cognitive therapy with meditative practices and attitudes that cultivate mindfulness. At its core, this work involves becoming acquainted with the modes of mind that often characterise mood disorders while learning to develop a new relationship with them.

How Does JettProof Help?

The range of JettProof products is especially suited for those who suffer from anxiety disorders. The most important is the range of compression clothing, which regulates and calms the body. Wearing a singlet under your regular daily clothing helps the body filter information more efficiently, calms the sensory system, and prevents the wearer from becoming overwhelmed and having their anxiety triggered.

JettProof is made from CalmTex, a special, breathable fabric with moisture-wicking properties that helps prevent overheating. JettProof can be worn discreetly under clothes, all day, every day, to help keep the wearer calm and reduce or eliminate anxiety.

Resources

You can contact these support services if you or someone you know needs support. Remember you are not alone.

Lifeline: Lifeline offers 24/7 crisis support for suicide prevention for all Australians. Call 13 11 14

Kids Helpline : A 24/7 counselling service for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. Call 1800 55 1800

13 YARN: A 24/7 service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Call 13 92 76

Black Dog Institute: Offers a variety of resources to support anxiety.

References

The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or treatment. While we aim to provide accurate information and personal insights to support our valued customers and community, we strongly advise consulting a Doctor, Psychologist, or other qualified medical professional.