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Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder – What is anxiety? Part 1/6

Sherry-Lee Smith

Registered Psychologist

Perth, Western Australia

What is anxiety?

Anxiety can be considered a normal human experience, everybody feels anxiety from time to time. Moderate anxiety can be helpful in a number of ways such as improving your performance by increasing your motivation, energy levels and alertness. This can be helpful prior to playing a sporting match, attending a job interview or sitting examinations. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation high levels of anxiety can be helpful to motivate you to act (i.e. if you arrive at the scene of a car accident) or escape (i.e. if someone is threatening you). As long as the anxiety you experience is in proportion to the event that triggers it, anxiety can be considered functional.

Anxiety becomes dysfunctional when it is out of proportion with the triggering event, when it reduces your performance (rather than enhances it), or is severe and persistent. Anxiety that causes excessive worry, avoidance or panic can become detrimental to daily functioning.

Symptoms of anxiety may include;

  • restlessness
  • rapid heart rate
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • shortness of breath
  • muscle tension
  • feeling on edge
  • sweating
  • concentration difficulties
  • irritability

If you are experiencing any difficulties with anxiety or other mental health issues and would like help please contact Sherry-Lee Smith on 042 135 1020 or smith.sherrylee@gmail.com

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Mt Lawley Counselling Centre

13 Alvan St

Mt Lawley, Perth Western Australia 6050

 

Sherry-Lee Smith

Registered Psychologist