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Anxiety

Did you know …

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in Australia, affecting 14.4% of the population.11

Anxiety has been shown to be an independent risk factor for suicide.12

Physical illness can trigger anxiety or complicate the treatment of either the anxiety or the physical illness itself. Examples might be hormonal problems, diabetes, asthma or heart disease/conditions.13

Anxiety warning signs

Does your patient describe any of the following?

  • Hot and cold flushes
  • Racing heart
  • Tightening of the chest
  • Snowballing worries
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling irritable


Further reading and resources

Australian Psychological Society (APS) – Anxiety tip sheet

beyondblue – Symptoms of anxiety

headspace – Youth mental health resource library, Anxiety factsheet

Kyrios M, Moulding R, Nedeljkovic M, Anxiety disorders: Assessment and management in general practice, Aust Fam Physician 2011;40(6):370–74

mindhealthconnect – Anxiety: Symptoms, treatment and causes

References

  1. Kyrios M, Mouding R, Nedeljkovic M. Anxiety disorders – Assessment and management in general practice. Aust Fam Physician 2011;40(6):370–74.
  2. Nepon J, Belik SL, Bolton J, Sareen J. The relationship between anxiety disorders and suicide attempts: Findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Depress Anxiety 2010;27(9):791–98.
  3. beyondblue. What causes anxiety? Hawthorn West, Vic: beyondblue, 2016. [Accessed 16 February 2016].

Downloads

Suicide prevention and first aid a resource for GPs