Anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Social anxiety disorder involves marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situation whereby an individual is exposed to possible scrutiny of others including general social situations, meeting unfamiliar people, public speaking or eating in front of others. An individual with social anxiety disorder fears that they will appear anxious to others and will be negatively evaluated or rejected. The social situation almost always provokes anxiety and is therefore often avoided. To find out more about social anxiety download the social anxiety disorder fact sheet from Beyond Blue. Please note that it is important to not self-diagnose. Clinical psychologists undergo specialised training to formally assess and treat such conditions.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder involves excessive worry or anxiety that is difficult to control as well as other symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension or sleep dysfunction. To find out more about generalised anxiety download the generalised anxiety disorder fact sheet. Please note that it is important to be assessed by a trained clinical psychologist in order to receive a diagnosis.

Panic Disorder (Including Panic Attacks)

A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort and can include a number of the following symptoms: increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, feelings of choking, nausea, dizziness, chills or heat sensations, numbness or tingling, fear of losing control, feelings of unreality or fears of “going crazy”.

Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks as well as persistent concern or worry about having additional panic attacks or of their consequences, for example, individuals often have a sense that they are “losing control” or “going crazy”. Panic disorder is also characterized by a change in behaviour such that the individual may avoid certain places or situations in order to avoid the incidence of further panic attacks. For further information about panic disorder, please download the panic disorder fact sheet. In order to receive a diagnosis, it is important to be assessed by a trained professional who will take into account your unique personal circumstances.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD is a distressing condition that involves the experience of either obsessions, compulsions or both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive or unwanted thoughts, urges or images that keep coming back even when the individual does not want them to. The person often tries to ignore or suppress the distressing thought with some other thought or action, known as a compulsion. An example of an obsession may be a fear of being contaminated by germs, explicit sexual thoughts or excessive concern for religious or moral ideas.

A compulsion is a repeated behaviour or thought that an individual feels driven to perform in order to prevent or reduce anxiety. An individual with OCD may also perform such a behaviour to stop a dreaded event or situation from occurring. However, the behaviours or thoughts are often excessive and not related in a realistic way to what they are designed to prevent. Examples of compulsions include hand washing, counting, checking, praying or repeating words silently. An example of a compulsion that is not realistically related to preventing a dreaded event, may be an individual feeling compelled to say a word every time they walk into a room to prevent a family member becoming ill. Compulsions are often time consuming and can interfere with everyday functioning such as work, study, or relationships. For more information, please download the obsessive compulsive disorder fact sheet.

Individuals with OCD are sometimes ashamed by their obsessions or compulsions, and this can hinder them seeking out and receiving treatment. The clinical psychologists at Inner South Psychology are experienced in helping people recover from OCD. They are familiar with all sorts of obsessions and compulsions and are non-judgmental, empathetic and confidential. They are focused on helping people move forward from OCD. 

Specific Phobias

Specific phobias involve marked fear or anxiety about a specific situation or object, for example, flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection or seeing blood. The distressing fear or anxiety is typically out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the situation or object, which is often avoided. To find out more about specific phobias please download the specific phobias fact sheet. It is important to not self-diagnose such conditions but rather to be assessed by a trained professional. 

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence. The individual additionally experiences intrusive symptoms such distress, intense physical sensations, distressing dreams or flashbacks. The individual also tries to avoid remembering, thinking or feelings associated with the event. They may also avoid external reminders of the event. Changes in thoughts or moods also occur, for example, the individual may feel intense fear, horror, shame, guilt or anger. Furthermore, they may not recall important aspects of the traumatic event, or they may blame themselves. They also experience a change in their arousal or reactivity, for example, they may become irritable, reckless, hypervigilant or suffer from sleep disturbance. For more information on posttraumatic stress disorder, please download the posttraumatic stress disorder fact sheet. It is important to not self-diagnose such a condition and rather to consult with a clinical psychologist. 

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia involves marked fear or anxiety about two or more of the following: using public transport, being in open spaces, being in enclosed places, being outside the home alone, standing in a line or being in a crowd. The individual typically fears or avoids these situations because of thoughts that escape will be difficult or embarrassing and that help may not be available. Agoraphobia is often experienced with panic disorder or panic attacks. For more information about agoraphobia please download the agoraphobia fact sheet. For further information about how agoraphobia may affect you, please talk to a clinical psychologist.