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Article Index
Anxiety: Just the Facts
What are the causes?
Treatments
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the term given to the mental, behavioural and physical changes that occur to assist the body to combat threat or danger. When the body becomes aware of danger the involuntary nervous system sends messages to areas all over the body in order to, either physically "fight" the situation or to flee from it - "flight". This particular response is called the "fight or flight" reaction and is characterised by the following symptoms:

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• Alert mind
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased breathing rate
• Fear and apprehension
• Trembling or shaking
• Restlessness
• Cold and clammy hands
• Hot Flushes or chills
• Feeling sick or nauseous
• Butterflies in the stomach

The "fight or flight" response can be useful in the short term when faced with dangerous or stressful situations (e.g. to get away from an attacking dog). However, this reaction can become harmful if it does not subside after the situation has passed or if the reaction your body has is out of proportion to the situation you find yourself in.

If the anxiety continues for long periods and is more severe than the individual can tolerate, it may become disabling. Prolonged anxiety is characterised by not only the physical symptoms associated with the "fight or flight" response, but also changes in an individual's thoughts, feelings and behaviours. As a result of the anxiety, you may often feel constantly wound up or on edge, become irritable, experience difficulties concentrating, and generally have a negative outlook on life. You may also often display nervous gestures (e.g. leg tapping, fiddling), a rigid posture, and have difficulties speaking fluently.

Who gets Anxious?

Anxiety disorders are quite common amongst the general population. Studies have shown that between 2 and 4% of people experience some form of anxiety disorder, and that anxiety disorders account for about 15% of the workload of Australian psychiatrists.

Disorders - Generalized Anxiety Disorder