Common Anxiety Disorders
Results from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing indicate that 9.7%, or nearly 1.3 million, of adult Australians suffer from an anxiety disorder in any 12 month period. Common anxiety disorders include:
q Panic Disorder		Involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks coupled with persistent concern about future attacks. A panic attack is a period of intense fear accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea, abdominal distress, dizziness or lightheadedness, fear of losing control or "going crazy", fear of dying, and chills or hot flushes.
q Agoraphobia		Involves avoidance of a wide range of situations due to fear of not being able to escape or get help in the event of significant anxiety or a panic attack. Common situations that are avoided include crowded places, driving in traffic, crossing bridges and travelling on public transport.
q Social Phobia		Is characterised by a persistent fear and/or avoidance of social or performance situations in which embarrassment or humiliation may occur. These situations may include public speaking, dating, and eating, drinking or writing in front of others.
q Generalised Anxiety Disorder		Is characterised by anxiety and worry which is excessive & persistent in nature, and frequently revolves around everyday life circumstances such as job responsibilities, finances, health, family members or minor matters. It is often accompanied by additional symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and disturbed sleep.
q Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder		Involves recurrent obsessions (persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images) that are experienced as intrusive and inappropriate. The individual often attempts to cope with obsessions using some other thought or action (a compulsion). The most common obsessions involve contamination, repeated doubts, orderliness, aggressive or horrific impulses and sexual imagery. The most common compulsions involve washing and cleaning, counting, checking, seeking assurances, repeating actions, and ordering.
q Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)		Can develop as a result of directly experiencing, witnessing or hearing about a traumatic event. Characteristic PTSD symptoms can include intrusive recollections, distressing dreams, intense distress, avoidance, emotional numbing, increased arousal, irritability or outbursts of anger and sleep disturbance.
q Specific Phobia		Involves a marked and persistent fear of clearly defined objects or situations, where exposure to the object or situation provokes an intense anxiety response. Common fears include animals, heights, flying, and enclosed spaces.
	SADP A Specialist Clinical Psychology Practice Assessing and Treating Anxiety
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