Mental health

Anxiety is a common uncomfortable response to stress in our daily lives. It is normal to feel anxious, fearful or worried from time to time to keep you at your best. However, if you feel as though you are experiencing high levels of anxiety to the point where it causes distress or impairments in functioning, we can help.

A cluster of different disorders are considered as anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of anxiety include high levels of stress, dread or physical signs, such as a rapid heart rate and sweating. 1 in 10 Australians experience constant anxiety, which affects their mood, ability to function, quality of life and relationships.

If you have been experiencing symptoms of anxiety, we recommend booking an appointment with one of our experienced doctors to help.

From time to time, it is common to feel under pressure by the struggles of our day-to-day lives. On some occasions, we may experience a panic attack as a result of a stressful situation. A panic attack is a strong surge of fear of discomfort which reaches peak intensity in a few minutes and can last up to twenty minutes to an hour.

Symptoms of a panic attack can include:

• • Palpitations, pounding heart, accelerated heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
  • Feelings of choking
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Nausea or abdominal distress
  • Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
  • Chills or heat sensations
  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
  • Fear of dying
  • Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from one-self)

When an individual experiences one unexpected panic attack that is not better explained by another medical condition or substance, and is accompanied by at least a month of persistent worry about the presence of another panic attack, this can result in the diagnosis of panic disorder. Further panic attacks may vary in frequency from daily, once a week or once a month. Panic disorder may also result in changes in the individual’s behaviour, such as avoiding exercise or public spaces. Roughly 5% of Australians will experience panic disorder in their lifetime, so you are not alone.

If you believe you or a loved one may have panic disorder, do not hesitate to book an appointment with us to begin your journey recovery.

Social anxiety disorder involves the experience of a disproportionate fear or anxiety in social situations, which is due to the fear of being judged or criticised by others. Social situations may involve holding conversation, eating, drinking or even walking into a grocery store.

Symptoms of social anxiety can be emotional or behavioural, including:

• • Fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively
  • Worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
  • Intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers
  • Fear that others will notice that you look anxious
  • Fear of physical symptoms that may cause you embarrassment, such as blushing, sweating, trembling or having a shaky voice
  • Avoidance of doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment
  • Avoidance of situations where you might be the center of attention
  • Anxiety in anticipation of a feared activity or event
  • Intense fear or anxiety during social situations
  • Analysis of your performance and identification of flaws in your interactions after a social situation
  • Expectation of the worst possible consequences from a negative experience during a social situation

Roughly 11% of Australians will experience social anxiety disorder in their lifetime, with 7% experiencing this disorder within any 12-month period. Many individuals experiencing this disorder may, as a result, avoid social situations altogether. However, this is not a healthy coping mechanism and can worsen symptoms.

If you have been experiencing social anxiety, give us a call or book an appointment with us online to discuss the available treatment options.

Have you ever found yourself persistently worrying about a sickness that you may have, even though medical tests demonstrate that you are healthy?

Although some worry regarding your health is helpful and adaptive, excessive and constant worrying regarding your health may be a sign of health anxiety. Health anxiety is characterised by an excessive and irrational fear about having a serious medical condition, despite having few or no symptoms. This can be problematic and distressful, and may result in unhelpful behaviours such as constant body-checks, medical tests and obsessive and persistent online reading about one’s symptoms.

Symptoms of health anxiety may include:

• • Constant worry about your health
  • Frequently checking your body for signs of illness
  • Feeling nervous and obsessed with frequently checking your health status
  • Avoiding people or places out of a fear of contracting an illness
  • Constantly looking for information about symptoms and health conditions on the internet
  • Fear that physical sensations are caused by a serious medical disease
  • Constantly talking to others about health problems
  • Making doctor’s appointments to check up on mild symptoms or normal body functions
  • Significant distress over the possibility of being sick, such that it impairs your normal daily functioning

Health anxiety affects roughly 6% of the Australian population across the lifespan. If you believe you have health anxiety, do not hesitate to book an appointment with us to discuss possible treatment options.

Adjustment disorder involves the inability to adjust to stressful life events, which can lead to a range of psychological and physical symptoms. Such stressful life events can include losing a loved one, losing a job, or experiencing financial hardships. Each individual has a unique way of responding to life events, whether trivial or significant. However, some individuals experience an emotional and behavioural reaction that is longer and more intense than expected, resulting in impairments in social, occupational or other areas of functioning.

The prevalence of adjustment disorders is high within the general population, ranging from 5% to 20%. If you believe that you may have an adjustment disorder, do not hesitate to book an appointment with one of our doctors to seek the medical advice that you need.

Acute stress disorder is present in 6% to 33% in individuals who have directly experienced or witnessed any sort of traumatic event, such as a natural disaster or unfortunate event. The symptoms of this disorder typically last 3 to 4 weeks after the traumatic event, and can last a few years. If left untreated, this disorder can slowly progress to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Symptoms of acute stress disorder include:

Dissociative symptoms

• • Dissociative amnesia (i.e. unable to recall important aspects of the traumatic event)
  • Derealization (i.e. feel detached from reality and your surroundings)

Involuntary reliving of traumatic experience

• • Recurrent flashbacks or illusions about the traumatic event
  • Reliving the same sensational experience during the traumatic event
  • Recurrent and distressing trauma-related nightmares

Avoidance 

• • Avoid external triggers that remind you of the traumatic events (e.g. places, objects, or people)

Anxiety or Hyperarousal

• • Distress when reminded of the traumatic event
  • Easily anxious or irritable with little or no provocation
  • Sleep disruption

Negative mood

• • Inability to feel happy and have a low mood
  • Experience negative thoughts

Many of us may experience flashbacks or nightmares after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, death of a loved one, assault or accident. While symptoms typically decrease slowly after this experience, some may experience intense adverse effects for a longer period of time. If these symptoms last for at least a month and are sufficiently severe, interfering with your occupation or relationships, you may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:

Dissociative symptoms

• • Dissociative amnesia (i.e. unable to recall important aspects of the traumatic event)
  • Derealization (i.e. feel detached from reality and your surroundings)

Involuntary reliving of traumatic experience

• • Recurrent flashbacks or illusions about the traumatic event
  • Reliving the same sensational experience during the traumatic event
  • Recurrent and distressing trauma-related nightmares

Avoidance 

• • Avoid external triggers that remind you of the traumatic events (e.g. places, objects, or people)

Anxiety or Hyperarousal

• • Distress when reminded of the traumatic event
  • Easily anxious or irritable with little or no provocation
  • Sleep disruption

Negative mood

• • Inability to feel happy and have a low mood
  • Experience negative thoughts

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects roughly 6% to 9% of the general adult population. The disorder impacts every individual in a unique way, and the severity of the disorder heavily depends on the resources and social support that was available for that individual following the traumatic event.

If you believe that a traumatic event has significantly harmed your wellbeing and you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, we highly encourage you to book an appointment and seek out medical advice from our knowledgeable doctors.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood that affects one’s ability to control attention and impulsive behaviours. Other aspects of functioning such as planning, emotional regulation and organisation may also be affected. This disorder is one of the most common mental conditions affecting children and symptoms can persist into adulthood.

The symptoms of ADHD can be broken down into two core dimensions:

• • Inattention: This involves the inability to sustain attention, especially so for tasks that are repetitive, structured and less enjoyable. This dimension also includes difficulties in following instructions, resisting distractions, planning and organisation. Examples of inattentive behaviour include being daydreamy, processing information slowly, having difficulty focussing on tasks having trouble remembering things and appearing socially withdrawn.
  • Hyperactivity/Impulsivity: This aspect involves the lack of control of motor behaviour, poor sustained inhibition of behaviour and the inability to delay a response or gratification. Examples of hyperactive behaviours include fidgeting, squirming, running, finding it difficult to stay in their seats, being excessively energetic and/or talkative. Additionally, examples of impulsive behaviours include being Impatient, blurting out inappropriate comments, being unable to take turns and interrupting others’ conversations or activities.

The estimated number of Australians with ADHD is roughly 5%. Both adults and children can display symptoms of ADHD that impact their daily living and functioning. If you believe that you or your child is displaying symptoms of ADHD, give us a call or book online to speak with one of our doctors.

An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition that involves an unhealthy relationship with food. This disorder significantly impacts a person’s emotions, physical health and relationships. Eating disorders can be characterised by overeating, undereating or a combination of both. Examples of eating disorders include binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, or other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).

Regardless of your gender, cultural background or age, anyone can experience an eating disorder. About 1 in 7 Australians experience an eating disorder in their lifetime.

Symptoms of an eating disorder include: a preoccupation with your appearance, food and gaining weight, a dissatisfaction with your body shape, having secretive eating habits, feeling out of control with food or making yourself vomit or using laxatives to lose weight. Each of the 3 common types of eating disorders require different symptoms to meet a diagnosis.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) makes up about half of all eating disorder cases in Australia. Those who suffer from this disorder may eat large quantities of food within a short period of time that is larger than what is expected of that circumstance, despite not being hungry. This is called ‘binging.’ After a binge, an individual may experience feelings of guilt or shame, but do not purge their food, unlike bulimia nervosa. It is common, however, for people with BED to go on fasts or diets as a result of their binge.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is experienced by 1 in 10 Australians with an eating disorder. This disorder involves binges, often which are secretive, followed by a ‘purge’ where food is expelled via vomiting, laxatives, diet pills, diuretics or excessive exercise. People with bulimia nervosa often find themselves within a cycle of bingeing and purging within a week, which causes distress and a feeling of uncontrollability.

Anorexia nervosa

About 1 in 100 Australians with an eating disorder suffer from anorexia nervosa. People with this disorder are underweight, preoccupied with food and have a strong fear of gaining weight. They may have body dysmorphia, which is a distorted perception of their body shape, perceiving themselves as fat when they may not be. Those with anorexia nervosa have strict rules for themselves about their diets and exercise regimes that may be unhealthy or stressful for the individual.

If you have been experiencing these symptoms, no matter where you are in your lifetime, we are here for support. Call us for an appointment and we will provide a step-by-step treatment plan so that you can overcome your condition.