ANXIETY DISORDERS

 Anxiety is a state of emotional arousal. WHAT IS ANXIETY?

 Feelings: of tension apprehension, dread and an expectation of not being able to cope  Behavioural responses: such as avoidance of a feared situation, impaired speech, dysfunctional movements and difficulty completing complex tasks requiring mental effort and attention  Physiological responses: including muscle tension, increased heart rate, blood pressure, rapid breathing, dry mouth, nausea and diarrhoea BASIC COMPONENTS OF ANXIETY

 Anxiety is a normal part of our lives. All people feel anxious from time to time and in moderate degrees.  In everyday life, anxiety is an adaptive response. ANXIETY IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES

 Anxiety disorders are characterised by chronic feelings of tension, distress, nervousness and apprehension or fear about the future, with a negative effect. ANXIETY DISORDERS

 Can be linked to a single event  The development or onset of anxiety disorders is not simply explained by one event or factor alone  In most cases, a number of factors combine in influencing onset  These factors include Biological and Psychological  Certain personality traits have been found to be common among people with anxiety disorders CAUSES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

 A significant event which has triggered a severe emotional response  Biological factors such as brain chemistry and the presence of certain genes may create a pathway for certain anxiety disorders  Psychological factors such as childhood experience and learning processes SPECIFIC CAUSES

 Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)  Anti-anxiety medications TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS

 Generalised anxiety disorders  Panic disorder  Phobia  Obsessive compulsive disorder  Post traumatic stress disorder TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

 Females are more likely to experience it than males.  2.5 million individuals, or about 14.4% of the Australian population have experienced an anxiety disorder  In the ABS survey, 32% of females indicated they had an anxiety disorder at sometime in their life compared with 20% of males OTHER INTERESTING FACTS

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