Anxiety is the most common mental health issue in Australia, affecting 14 per cent of the community, regardless of age, gender, income or geographic location.
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According to the 2011 Census, the population of the Hunter region is more than 620,500. So 87,000 people could be living with an anxiety disorder. Worry, in small doses normal, it can even be helpful to protect us or register that something is wrong.
However, there is a difference between feeling anxious sometimes and having what could be an anxiety disorder. It becomes a concern when the feelings are overwhelming or worry is persistent or excessive.
Often, people showing signs of an anxiety disorder will feel that things are much worse than they are or worry about things that seem insignificant. Anxiety can mean that people stop doing things such as visiting busy shopping centres, meeting new people, or it might cause them to struggle to concentrate at work.
There are various anxiety disorders including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, phobias and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), all affect people in different ways.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, which is an unhealthy way of coping. It’s important to encourage people to seek help.
A GP can assess anxiety levels and plan a course of action, recoomend a psychologist who can help with proven strategies to lower anxiety or prescribe medication.
Anxiety disorders can be extremely debilitating and have a significant impact on quality of life. Specialised medical care is advisable and it is important to remember that anxiety disorders are highly treatable.
Along with changes to behaviour and perception, anxiety can also have a physical impact, with things like trouble breathing, feeling light-headed, shaky or having stomach upsets.
If you know someone that might have anxiety find time talk to them without blame and allow them to talk to you about it too.
Offer to go to a GP but remember that they may have a range of emotions regarding support.
Educate yourself about mental illness and try to provide support without judgement or pressure.
WayAhead Mental Health Association NSW is supporting the Hunter with a new Anxiety Support Group. The groups are facilitated by trained volunteers to give people a space to share their experiences with others.
The Anxiety Support Group will be open on the first Friday of the month at 10am at The Salvation Army, Rutherford.
Ability Links Maitland has been key in helping this initiative get started.
