Anxiety Disorders

Regular anxiety, fear, or panic can be the main symptom of several health conditions including:

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Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

This is characterised by excessive, persistent worry and anxiety about various aspects of life, even when there is little or no reason to worry. People with GAD often find it difficult to control their anxiety and may experience physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbances. GAD can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. Treatment for GAD may include therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), medication, or a combination of both.

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Panic disorder

Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks characterise this. Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes. During a panic attack, individuals may experience symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, and a feeling of being out of control. People with panic disorder often worry about having more panic attacks and may change their behaviour to avoid situations that could trigger an attack. Treatment for panic disorder may involve therapy such as CBT, medication, or a combination of both.

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Phobias

An intense and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity characterises this. People with phobias experience overwhelming fear that can interfere with their daily life. Phobias can be of different types, such as social phobia (social anxiety disorder), specific phobia (e.g. fear of flying, fear of spiders, etc.), or agoraphobia (fear of open spaces or situations where escape may be difficult). Treatment for phobias may include CBT, gradual exposure to the source of fear, and in some cases, medication.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This can develop after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event. People with PTSD may experience intrusive memories of the traumatic event, nightmares, avoidance of related situations, mood changes, sleep difficulties, and intense physical reactions when confronted with reminders of the trauma. Treatment for PTSD typically includes therapy and, in some cases, medication to help the person manage symptoms and recover from the trauma.

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

This is characterised by a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears, known as obsessions, which lead to repetitive behaviours, referred to as compulsions. People with OCD find themselves driven to carry out these compulsive acts in an attempt to ease their stress or to prevent bad things from happening. Despite this, the compulsions generally provide only temporary relief from anxiety and do not bring pleasure.  OCD is often a chronic condition, but effective treatments are available to manage symptoms. These include pharmacological treatment through medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, and psychotherapeutic approaches like CBT, specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP).

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Hypochondriacal disorder (Health anxiety disorder or Illness anxiety disorder)

This is a condition where a person's preoccupation with their health reaches such a level that it hinders their day-to-day functioning. Understanding the symptoms and accessing appropriate treatment, such as CBT and potentially medication, can significantly aid those living with this condition.

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Contact our team for Private Psychiatrist assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy and anxiety treatment.