Melbourne Psychologists Warning for Anxiety Sufferers
Melbourne — Australia’s multicultural melting pot, home to great coffee and holder of the unenviable title of ‘world’s most locked down city’ during the COVID pandemic.
Pre-COVID, Melbourne was ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world, attracting Australians and migrants from all over the world to enjoy the buzz, hip lanes covered in street art and culinary delights.
Since the pandemic however, the mental health of residents has taken a dive, with anxiety levels soaring during and long after the extended, imposed isolation.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety can be a normal response to a stressful situation, such as a performance review or job interview.
It can present as a feeling of fear, irritability, trouble concentrating and/or obsessive or hard to control thoughts. You might feel your heart beating faster than usual, feel sweaty, feel tense, nauseous or short of breath, have a dry mouth or struggle to fall asleep or remain asleep.
Not everyone experiences anxiety in the same way. You may notice only physical symptoms or none at all, for example.
When anxiety starts getting in the way of the activities of normal life, it becomes an anxiety disorder that needs treatment.
Anxiety and Other Mental Health Conditions
Anxiety can present alongside other mental health conditions, such as depression. If left untreated, it can progress into conditions such as eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), addiction and paranoia.
When this occurs, additional treatment may be needed, such as OCD therapy or addiction therapy.
When to Get Help for Anxiety
While everyone feels anxious now and then, there are some signs to watch out for that might indicate that your anxiety has started to spiral and help is needed:
- Your anxiety is making it difficult to do the things you’d normally do, like stay in touch with friends
- Your anxiety is affecting your performance at work or school
- You suffer from insomnia, so that falling asleep or staying asleep is difficult
- You’re often moody or irritable
- You find it hard to relax or stay still
- You catastrophise, always thinking of worst-case scenarios
- You worry constantly about everything
- You feel afraid
- You have physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, trouble breathing, nausea or a fast heart rate
If any of the above symptoms are present, it's time to speak to your GP about a referral to a psychologist in Melbourne who can help you work through your symptoms and get back to living your life.