Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterised by excessive fear, worry, or nervousness that can interfere with daily life. While feeling anxious is a natural response to stress, anxiety disorders involve persistent and intense symptoms that can be overwhelming and debilitating.
These disorders affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, often leading to avoidance of situations and impacting relationships, work, or school.
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Characterised by chronic and excessive worry about a range of everyday issues, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, and muscle tension. - Panic Disorder
Marked by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear with physical symptoms like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or dizziness. - Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
Intense fear or avoidance of social situations due to worries about being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated. - Specific Phobias
Excessive fear of particular objects or situations, such as heights, spiders, or flying. - Separation Anxiety Disorder
Extreme fear or distress when separated from attachment figures, commonly seen in children but also affecting adults. - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety.
- Thorough psychological assessments and diagnosis
- Individualised treatment plans
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and other therapeutic approaches
- Collaboration with GPs, psychiatrists, and other health professionals when medication is recommended
- Support for families and carers to understand and manage anxiety
- Strategies to reduce avoidance and build resilience
- Assistance with workplace or school accommodations