Anxiety is a term that describes a normal feeling people experience when feeling stressed or when faced with threat or danger. Feelings of anxiety are caused by experiences of life, such as serious injury, job loss, relationship breakdown or the death of someone close.

Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and can grow progressively worse if not treated.

Psychological Symptoms of Anxiety

Symptoms vary among anxiety disorders, however the most prevalent include: restlessness, irritability, edginess, fatigue, impaired concentration, muscle tension palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, discomfort, nausea dizziness distressing thoughts or images, always being on the alert for signs of danger.

How can Psychological Health Interventions Help?

Psychological treatment aims to help anxiety sufferers reduce anxiety by eliminating beliefs or behaviours that help to maintain the anxiety disorder. Treatment may incorporate: information and education about anxiety, slow breathing training, relaxation techniques, cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, assertiveness training, relapse prevention and anxiety management techniques.

Time Frames and Anticipated Outcomes

Many people can learn anxiety management skills in as few as 12 sessions; however any treatment plan has to be tailored to an individual's needs so the number of sessions required may vary from person to person. Following treatment it is anticipated patients will: eliminate or significantly reduce severity and frequency of anxiety, increase daily activity levels, be able to sustain suitable work, learn what anxiety-stimulating triggers to avoid and be able to challenge unhelpful thinking styles and beliefs associated with anxiety.

To initiate a referral please call 1800 424 635, email assist@psychi.com.au or send a doctors referral form or rehabilatation providers referral form to fax: 1300 782 393 with a mark in the box: “Anxiety Management”.