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While anxiety is considered a natural and short-lived reaction to a stressful situation, for some people anxious thoughts, feelings, or physical symptoms can become severe and upsetting, return repeatedly, continue over a period of time, and interrupt their daily lives. Where there is a cluster of anxiety symptoms that are severe and persist over time, it is typically considered an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental disorder diagnosed in Australia. There are a number of anxiety disorders, including:

Generalised anxiety disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by persistent and excessive worry, often about daily situations like work, family or health. This worry is difficult to control and interferes with the person’s day-to-day life and relationships.

Specific phobia

People with specific phobia experience extreme anxiety and fear of particular objects or situations. Common phobias include fear of flying, fear of spiders and other animals, and fear of injections.

Panic disorder

Panic disorder is characterised by the experience of repeat and unexpected panic attacks – sudden surges of overwhelming fear and anxiety and physical symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness. In panic disorder, these panic attacks come ‘out of the blue’ with no apparent trigger.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia involves intense anxiety in the context or anticipation of a variety of situations such as using public transportation, being in open spaces, being in closed spaces such as in a cinema, being in crowds, or being outside of the home alone.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

People with OCD have recurring, persistent, and distressing thoughts, images or impulses, known as obsessions (e.g. a fear of catching germs), or feel compelled to carry out certain repetitive behaviours, rituals, or mental acts, known as compulsions (e.g. hand-washing). Some people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions. These thoughts and acts can take over a person’s life and while people with OCD usually know that their obsessions and compulsions are an over-reaction, they feel they are unable to stop them.

Social anxiety disorder

In social anxiety disorder the person has severe anxiety about being criticised or negatively evaluated by others. This leads to the person avoiding social events and other public situations for fear of doing something that leads to embarrassment or humiliation.

Whilst there is no single known cause for any of the anxiety disorders, there are a number of risk factors or triggers that may contribute. These differ between the different anxiety disorders too. In general, however, the following factors may play a role:

Genes

Certain anxiety disorders appear to have a genetic component, with some anxiety disorders running in families.

Biology

Some anxiety disorders might have a basis in how the brain processes and responds to stress, and how the body releases stress hormones, such as adrenalin. Sensitivity to your own body’s physical responses, such as increased heart rate might also increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

Thinking style

Patterns of thinking characterised by anticipating the worst, persistent negative self-talk, difficulty accepting uncertainty, and low self-esteem are linked to anxiety.

Coping strategies

Unhelpful coping strategies, such as a tendency to avoid situations that cause anxiety rather than facing such situations, increase the risk for developing an anxiety disorder.

Stressful life events

Stressful events such as a marriage breakdown, work or school deadlines, and financial hardship can act as a trigger for anxiety. Early life stress and trauma can also increase the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder later in life.