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Anxiety and Panic

Anxiety is a natural human response designed to keep us safe. It is completely normal to feel a level of nervousness before a major event, such as a presentation or a significant life change.

However, when these feelings become frequent, overwhelming, and occur for no apparent reason, anxiety can begin to control your daily life.

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia, with approximately one in four people experiencing it during their lifetime. It affects over two million Australians every year. Anxiety does not discriminate, though statistics show it is experienced by approximately one in three women and one in five men.

If you find that worry, fear, or physical tension is starting to interfere with your ability to enjoy life, professional support can help you regain control.

Common Signs & Symptoms

While everyone experiences anxiety differently, symptoms generally manifest across three key areas

Physical Symptoms

  • Panic Attacks: Sudden, intense rushes of fear or discomfort.

  • Physical Tension: Muscle tightness, trembling, or feeling constantly "on edge" and restless.

  • Cardiovascular & Respiratory Changes: A racing heart, tightening of the chest, or rapid breathing (hyperventilation) without a physical cause.

  • Somatic Responses: Sweaty hands, hot flushes, or nausea.

Psychological Symptoms

  • Intense Worry: Persistent, uncontrollable worry about everyday situations.

  • Catastrophising: Automatically anticipating the worst-case scenario.

  • Obsessive Thoughts: Intrusive, repetitive thoughts that are difficult to quiet.

  • Immense Fear: Feeling a sense of dread or apprehension about the future.

Behavioural Symptoms

  • Avoidance: Actively avoiding specific places, social events, or situations that might trigger your anxiety. While avoidance brings temporary relief, it often keeps the anxiety going in the long term.

How Anxiety Can Present

Anxiety can show up in several different ways depending on the individual. Some of the common areas we support clients with include:

  • Generalised Anxiety: Persistent, excessive worry about a wide range of everyday things (like health, finances, or family) that feels difficult to control.

  • Social Anxiety: An intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or scrutinised by others in social or performance situations.

  • Panic & Panic Attacks: Sudden, overwhelming episodes of intense fear accompanied by strong physical symptoms, often leading to a fear of having another attack.

  • Specific Phobias: An intense, irrational fear of a specific object, place, or situation.

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Patterns: Experiencing repetitive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and feeling driven to perform specific behaviours (compulsions) to reduce anxiety.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress: Difficulties coping and feeling constantly on high alert following a traumatic or highly distressing event.

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