Psychology and Counselling for Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. On average, one in four people – one in three women and one in five men – will experience anxiety at some stage in their life (Beyond Blue, 2016).
Fortunately, Counselling for Anxiety with support from expert health professionals, people can manage and recover from anxiety.

Beyond Worry

Many people feel worried, nervous or anxious due to stressful situations or events in their life. This is a natural reaction, and for most people these feelings disappear after the situation or event. However, for people with anxiety disorders, anxiety is beyond a normal level of worry and stress.
Signs and symptoms of anxiety can become severe and persistent, and can have a significant impact on an individual’s day to day functioning and quality of life. It can impact their function at work/school, their ability to socialise, their relationships, and their self-esteem.

Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety can develop due to a combination of things, including patterns of thinking, physical health conditions, ongoing stressful situations, substance use, and genetic influences.
Anxiety can present in many different ways, such as generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, panic disorder, social phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Because of this, signs and symptoms can vary greatly in each person. General signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders, include:

• Tightening of the chest
• Fast-paced breathing / racing heart
• Restlessness
• Panic attacks
• Hot and cold flushes
• Stomach feels as though it’s in knots
• Feeling tense
• Excessive fear / worry
• Obsessive thinking
• Catastrophising
• Avoidance of situations that increase anxiety

Treatment for Anxiety

There are many effective treatments for anxiety, and a range of health professionals and organisations are able to help. Many people find enough support from one health professional, while others benefit from a small team of health professionals for different aspects of their treatment.
Everyone is different. The most common therapies are lifestyle and dietary changes, social support networks, psychological therapies and medical treatment.
Whilst anxiety is commonly viewed as a ‘mental’ health disorder, it is important to consider aspects of the physical body, for example, nutrient deficiencies, biochemical imbalances, digestive health, and genetic influences. This ensures the most comprehensive approach to treatment.

Seeing a Psychologist or Counsellor for Anxiety

Psychologists are trained health professionals that can diagnose anxiety disorders and work with their patients to help them implement effective ways to manage anxiety.

This may include developing skills and techniques for managing anxiety, simple lifestyle changes, and using psychological therapies such as mindfulness techniques and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
CBT is a psychological therapy that is highly effective in the treatment of anxiety. CBT helps patients learn to identify and understand how their thoughts may contribute to their anxiety.

Through CBT, psychologists can help their patients change these thought patterns, therefore reducing the likelihood and intensity of anxiety.
Each person is unique, therefore psychological care plans for anxiety depend on the patient, the type of anxiety, and how their anxiety presents. With expert psychological care, anxiety can be effectively managed and you can feel your best and live a quality life.

Next step

We would be humbled to help you. You do not need a referral from your doctor to see our Practitioners, however, doing so may attract a medicare rebate.
Best contact us for more information.
For a highly confidential psychology consultation with our experienced psychology locations:

• Sunshine Coast Psychologists
• Brisbane Psychologist
• Gold Coast Psychologist
• Online Telehealth Psychology
• Or for more help please call or email us via contact us.