Anxiety

Anxiety Treatment in Adelaide

What is anxiety?

Feeling anxious is often a natural part of being human. Think about how you might react if a vicious dog started running in your direction. You would most likely respond with fear, and feeling this way would help you take action and keep yourself safe.

Anxiety, on the other hand, differs in important ways from a natural response to life stressors.

Normal anxiety can become a problem when it is:

Excessive
Feels uncontrollable
Occurs in situations that are objectively safe
Leads to considerable distress or gets in the way of everyday activities

Anxiety problems can take a number of forms, including the following:

Generalised anxiety
Social anxiety
Panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Phobias (eg, a dog phobia)
Health anxiety
Obsessions and compulsions

Regardless of the type of anxiety problem, anxiety symptoms can occur in the following ways:

Thinking

Excessive worrying about what might go wrong (“what ifs…”)
Racing and uncontrollable thoughts
Irrational, fearful thinking (eg, assuming the worst)
Lack of confidence
Fear of ‘going crazy’
Obsessive or intrusive thoughts
Excessive concern about how others might judge you

Bodily experience

Tension in the body and feeling ‘on-edge’
Racing or pounding heart
Trembling/shaking
Problems with concentration
Sleep disturbance
Rapid or shallow breathing
Stomach problems, including nausea
Sweating
Poor appetite
Headaches

Behaviour

Avoiding situations that might evoke anxiety
Disengaging from others (eg, friends and family)
Procrastination
Withdrawing from previously enjoyable activities
Performing repetitive behaviours to control anxiety (eg, compulsions or rituals)
Having days off work
Using unhealthy coping behaviours (eg, alcohol, drugs, or over-eating)

HOW CAN A PSYCHOLOGIST HELP?

Davies & Robertson clinical psychologists are trained in diagnosing, assessing, and treating anxiety problems. Because everyone’s experience of anxiety is different, it is important to discuss your particular concerns, and work with a psychologist to develop a personalised treatment plan.

Through using evidence-based treatment (usually cognitive-behaviour therapy or mindfulness-based strategies), psychologists work to help you gain insight into your anxiety, provide you with practical and effective techniques, and assist you to fully engage with life.

Decades of research demonstrate that seeing a psychologist helps most people with anxiety problems.

If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, call our friendly staff today on (08) 8361 9724.

Davies & Robertson Psychology

We are experienced clinical psychologists who provide evidence-based treatment of common mental health problems to help individuals overcome distress and fully engage in life.

We help people of all ages experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, depressed mood, sleep disturbance, trauma and weight-related problems. We are passionate about helping people live their best lives.

Our details

Location: 145 Tynte Street
North Adelaide SA 5006

Postal address: PO Box 482
North Adelaide SA 5006

Phone: (08) 8361 9724
Fax: (08) 7200 7625
info@drpsychology.com.au

Our psychologists

Dr Matt Davies
PhD, MPsych (Clin), BBSc (Hons)

Dr Sharon Robertson
PhD, MPsych (Clin), FCCLP

Dr Jodie Harris
PhD (Clin.Psyc.), B.Psyc. (Hons)

Clara Mittiga
MPsych (Clin), BPsych (Hons)

Marilyn Kingston
MPsych (Clin), BA Psych (Hons)

Amelia Rieger
MPsych (Clin), B.PsychSc (Hons)

Dr Lian Hill
PhD, MPsych (Clin)

Sally Shinkfield
MPsych (Clin), MSocSc, GDipPsych, BPsych

Dr Dan Carabellese
BA, BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin), PhD

Katie Pollock
MPsych (Clin), BPsychSc (Hons)