What is anxiety?
Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. While stress and anxious feelings are a common response to a situation where a person feels under pressure, it usually passes once the stressful situation has passed, or ‘stressor’ is removed.
Anxiety is when these anxious feelings don't subside. Anxiety is when they are ongoing and exist without any particular reason or cause. It’s a serious condition that makes it hard for a person to cope with daily life. We all feel anxious from time to time, but for a person experiencing anxiety, these feelings cannot be easily controlled.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of anxiety can often develop gradually over time. Given that we all experience some anxiety, it can be hard to know how much is too much. In order to be diagnosed with anxiety, the condition must have a disabling impact on the person’s life. There are many types of anxiety, and there are a range of symptoms for each.
Types of treatment available
As with depression, there are many health professionals and services available to help with information, treatment and support, and there are many things that people with anxiety can do to help themselves.
Who can assist
Different health professionals provide different types of services, treatments and assistance to help people on the road to recovery. It’s very important to find the right mental health professional to suit your individual needs.
Recovery and staying well
Recovery can take time. While psychological and/or medical treatment can help with a person’s recovery, there are many other ways people can help themselves to get better and stay well.
Our Get to know anxiety campaign has been informed by the stories and feedback of people who have experienced anxiety, and for some this may trigger feelings and emotions in relation to your own experience. Remember, there is support and information available. Talk it through with us by contacting the beyondblue Support Service.