Anxiety: What is it?
What is anxiety?
Anxiety can look and feel different for many people. It is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Anxiety is our bodies natural stress response. However, it becomes a problem when it interferes with everyday life. It can be characterised by irrational and excessive worry, fear or overwhelming bodily sensations.
In the mind
Anxiety in our minds can look like:
· Racing thoughts
· Ruminating
· Circulatory thinking
· Blank mind
· Paralysed thoughts
· Difficulty focusing
· Thoughts of worst-case scenario
· Worried all the time
· Worried you’re going crazy
· Panic
· Feelings of overwhelm
· Nightmares
· Hard to remember things
In the body
· Fast heart rate
· Sweating
· Dizziness
· Short of breath
· Agitation
· Difficulty calming down
· Trembling
· Tired easily
· Muscle tension
· Sleep disturbances
· nauseous
· Sore stomach/headaches – particularly in children
· Getting sick
In our behaviour:
· Sleep more/less
· Eat more/less
· Avoid social situations
· Avoid responsibilities due to overwhelm
· Withdraw
· Over-work/under-work
· Bite nails
· Pick skin
· Pacing
· Excessively using phone – doom scrolling
· Unable to sit still
· Paralysed
Some people may not feel anxious in their mind but in their bodies and vice versa. Sometimes when people are anxious, it is all consuming and all that they can think about. Other people’s anxiety can manifest more in the behaviours listed above and is harder to notice.
When left unattended for long periods of time, anxiety can turn into major disorders or conditions that significantly interfere with everyday life. It can also have an impact on our health, emotional, physical, spiritual and overall wellbeing.
If you think you are experiencing anxiety and are wanting support, reach out to your local GP to discuss your access to supports.
Even if it isn’t major, having someone to talk to can help you in maintain a good level of mental health.
See below resources for further information on Anxiety:
Beyond Blue
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/anxiety
Black Dog Institute
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/anxiety/
Further Support Services:
All services provide mental health counselling support, coping strategies, guidance, information and referrals from trained professionals by telephone, email or webchat.
LIFELINE - 24 hours/7 days
13 11 14
BEYOND BLUE SUPPORT SERVICE - 24 hours/7 days
1300 224 636
SANE (Suicide) - 10am-10pm/weekdays
1800 187 263
Please call 000 if you are in an emergency.
Author: Cody Tonkin, Registered Psychologist