What is Anxiety Disorder, Symptoms, Treatments, And When To Seek Help

Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition where excessive fear, worry or physical symptoms of anxiety, interferes with daily life, relationships, and wellbeing.

TL;DR

  • An anxiety disorder often involves persistent, overwhelming worry or fear that goes beyond everyday stress.

  • Common symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, racing thoughts, and sleep issues.

  • Types of anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder. See our other blog posts for more information on each.

  • Effective treatments include CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), medication, and mindfulness-based therapies.

  • Clinical psychologists can help with diagnosis and tailored treatment plans.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT ANXIETY DISORDER REALLY IS

Many people feel nervous or anxious in response to stress. But an anxiety disorder is a persistent and often debilitating mental health condition.

According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), anxiety disorders affect about 1 in 4 Australians at some point in life.

TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Ongoing worry about everyday matters

  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of social judgment or embarrassment

  • Panic Disorder: Sudden, intense panic attacks and fear of recurrence

  • Specific Phobias: Extreme fear of specific things (e.g. flying, spiders)

  • Agoraphobia: Fear of being in places where escape may be difficult

RECOGNISING ANXIETY DISORDER SYMPTOMS

Anxiety disorder symptoms can affect your mind, body, and behaviour. They may come and go, but when they persist and disrupt life, they indicate a problem worth addressing.

COMMON EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS

  • Excessive, uncontrollable worry

  • Racing thoughts or rumination

  • Poor concentration

  • Feeling irritable or on edge

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

  • Rapid heartbeat or chest tightness

  • Fatigue or muscle tension

  • Sweating, trembling, or gastrointestinal issues

  • Difficulty sleeping

ANXIETY DISORDER TREATMENTS THAT WORK

The good news: anxiety is treatable, and many people recover fully with the right approach. There are many evidence based, effective therapies that will help resolve all anxiety disorders. They include:


1. COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT)

CBT is the most researched and recommended treatment for anxiety disorders. It helps by:

  • Identifying unhelpful thoughts

  • Challenging distorted thinking

  • Reducing avoidance through gradual exposure


2. MINDFULNESS-BASED THERAPIES

Approaches like:

  • ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

  • MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy)

help you become more aware of thoughts without being controlled by them.


4. LIFESTYLE AND SELF-CARE INTERVENTIONS

These treatments, often used in conjunction with CBT and ACT support overall recovery and include:

  • Daily movement (e.g. walking, cardio)

  • Limiting caffeine, alcohol

  • Regular sleep routine

  • Mindfulness, breathwork, and grounding and relaxation practices


A NOTE ABOUT MEDICATION

Medication is sometimes used in moderate to severe anxiety. Types include:

  • SSRIs (e.g. sertraline, escitalopram)

  • SNRIs

  • Benzodiazepines (short-term only due to dependence risk)

Medication should always be prescribed by a GP or psychiatrist and ideally paired with therapy.


WHEN TO SEEK HELP

Reach out to a professional if:

  • You feel anxious most days

  • You're avoiding work or social life

  • Your sleep is consistently disturbed

  • Physical symptoms won't go away

  • You feel overwhelmed, stuck, or hopeless

A clinical psychologist can provide a proper diagnosis and evidence-based treatment plan tailored to you.

WHY EARLY INTERVENTION MATTERS

Untreated anxiety can:

  • Increase risk of depression or substance misuse

  • Lead to long-term physical issues (e.g. heart problems, chronic pain)

  • Reduce quality of life and ability to function

Early, targeted support can prevent escalation and promote lasting resilience.

LOCAL ANXIETY SUPPORT IN SYDNEY

Equilibrium Psychology is a Sydney CBD clinic, just 3 minutes from Wynyard Station. We also serve nearby suburbs such as Surry Hills, Ultimo, Barangaroo, and Pyrmont and beyond.

Telehealth sessions are available for individuals anywhere in NSW or across Australia.

WHY CHOOSE EQUILIBRIUM PSYCHOLOGY?

Established almost 20 years ago by clinical psychologist Gemma Cribb, our experienced team of more than 20 clinical psychologists registered with AHPRA, (plus Angel the therapy dog!) offer:

  • CBT, ACT, EMDR, and other therapies

  • Medicare rebates with GP referral

  • Warm, practical, and inclusive care

  • After hours appointments and no waitlists

MEET OUR PSYCHOLOGISTS WHO WORK WITH GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER

Looking for a psychologist with experience in generalised anxiety disorder therapy?

Learn more about our team here or call (02) 9262 6156 to find a psychologist who's a good fit for your needs.

NEXT STEPS

If anxiety is interfering with your life, you don't have to face it alone.

👉 Send an enquiry online, or

📞 Call our friendly team on (02) 9262 6156 to for more information and support.


*Last updated: July 2025*

NEED URGENT SUPPORT?

If you're feeling overwhelmed or need immediate help, please contact:

- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

- Lifeline: 13 11 14

- In an emergency, call 000

These services are available 24/7 and can provide immediate support.

REFERENCES

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Anxiety Disorders – Factsheet. https://www.ranzcp.org

Gemille Cribb