Anxiety
What is an Anxiety Disorder? While everyone feels anxious from time to time, some people experience these feelings so often and/or so strongly that it can affect their everyday lives.
Often people confuse anxiety disorders with stress. Stress is a normal reaction to a situation where a person feels under pressure. For example, it's common for people to feel stressed or uptight when meeting work deadlines, sitting exams or speaking in front of a group of people. However, for some people these feelings are ongoing, happen for no apparent reason or continue after the stressful event has passed.
There are many types of anxiety disorders and people will often have symptoms of more than one. Common anxiety disorders are Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Phobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Panic Disorder.
Are anxiety disorders common? Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in Australia. Nearly one in 10 people will experience some type of anxiety disorder in any one year - around one in 12 women and one in eight men. One in four people will experience an anxiety disorder at some stage of their lives.
Information for Families and Friends of People with Anxiety Disorders
It's not always easy to know how to help someone who is experiencing an anxiety disorder. It can be hard to know what to say or do. We all respond to situations and talk about things differently. Here are some tips on how to encourage a person who is unwell get help.
Talk Taking that first step towards helping a person who appears to be in need requires some thought and care. Choose a mutually convenient time and place.
Listen Sometimes, when a person wants to talk, they're not necessarily seeking advice, but just need to discuss their concerns. Listening, rather than talking, is a way of understanding how the person feels. This is called active listening. Save any suggestions, solutions or advice for a later discussion and instead, offer neutral comments such as "I can see how that would bother you...".
Practical ways to help
People with anxiety may be scared or overwhelmed at the thought of getting help.
Below are some DO's and DON'Ts for helping a person with an anxiety disorder.
DO
- spending time talking about their experiences
- indicating that you've noticed a change in their behaviour
- letting them know you're there to listen without being judgmental
- suggesting they see a doctor or health professional
- recommending and/or assisting them to make an appointment with a doctor or health professional
- going with the person to the doctor or health professional
- asking how their appointment went
- assisting them to find information about anxiety
- talking openly about their feelings
- encouraging them to try to get enough sleep, exercise and eat well
- encourage them to use self-help strategies.
- taking them out and keeping in touch - as well as encouraging friends and family members to do the same
- encouraging them to face their fears with support from their doctor/psychologist
- contacting a doctor or hospital, if they become a threat to themselves or others.
DON'T
- pressure them to "just relax" or "calm down"
- stay away or avoid them
- pressure them to manage how they're feeling with drugs or alcohol
- assume that you can make them feel less anxious
- help them avoid situations that make them feel anxious
- assume the problem will just go away.