As part of Mental Health month, reporter Rita Rizk spoke to psychologist Dr David Berle from the Nepean Anxiety Disorders clinic.
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ANXIETY can take various forms and can prevent people from living life the way they would like.
As the most common health condition in Australia, one in four people will experience anxiety at some stage in their life.
It is a physiological response and a natural reaction, which can help people deal with dangerous situations.
Senior clinical psychologist at the Nepean anxiety disorders clinic, David Berle, said anxiety was a healthy and natural response to a threat or danger but could be a disorder if it was persistent.
‘‘Anxiety can act as a ‘fight or flight’ response but once it starts to affect day-to-day duties and people start to lose focus on life, then that’s when it becomes a worry,’’ Mr Berle said.
‘‘It can start to interfere with productivity, engagement and make a person feel overwhelmed.
‘‘It is truly a frightening experience for people who are dealing with it.
‘‘Many people find it hard to talk about it because of the stigma attached to it.
‘‘This is when we need to be supportive as a community and find ways to get through it.
‘‘People will cope better with problems once they know they can openly speak to someone about it.’’
Dr Berle said a healthy lifestyle can help.
‘‘It’s important to get regular exercise, develop a healthy eating plan, have regular sleep patterns, reduce stress levels by learning to relax and do breathing exercises which can help relieve tension in the muscles,’’ he said.
Anxiety symptoms:
● Feeling very worried most of the time.
● Find it difficult to calm down, relax, concentrate or sleep.
● Avoid situations which cause anxiety.
● Experience physical symptoms such as muscle spasms, headaches and nausea.
What causes anxiety?
- Family history of mental health problems.
- An imbalance of chemicals in the brain which regulates feelings, thoughts or behaviours.
- Stressful life events including work, school, family, relationship, abuse, trauma, pregnancy and death.
- Physical health problems can trigger anxiety or complicate the treatment.
- Heavy or long term substance use of drugs or alcohol.
Types of anxiety
- Social phobia: An intense fear or being criticised, embarrassed or humiliated in public.
- Specific phobia: Fearing a specific object or situation which can make it difficult to go about daily routines.
- Generalised anxiety disorder: Worrying on most days about different things and find it very hard to control the feelings.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder: Unwanted or ongoing thoughts and fears that causes the person to carry out certain behaviours.
- Post traumatic stress: After a person experiences a traumatic event such as a death, war, assault and accident.
- Panic disorder: Overwhelming and uncontrollable feelings which can cause panic attacks which last up to 10 minutes.
Where to get help?
Anxiety disorders information on 1300 794 992.
Australian Psychological society on 1800 333 497.
Mental Health information services on 1300 794 991.
Go to your GP.
Self growth group
A group therapy group will be held every Tuesday from 10am to 11am and Thursdays from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
The group will explore positive meaning and purpose in life, anxiety, depression and other issues using talk therapy, meditation and positive psychology.
It will be held in the Enlightened Souls Learning Academy Level 1/187 Windsor Street, Richmond.
Contact Fiona Werle-Schupp on 0412 5346 90 to book
■Windsor anxiety support group meets on the first Wednesday of the month, 7 pm, at Hawkesbury Library, 300 George Street, Windsor.
