People experiencing anxiety conditions sometimes don’t seek support because they think their symptoms aren’t serious enough or because they don’t believe they have an issue a new Beyond Blue survey has found, with the condition becoming the most common mental health issue in Australia.The survey of 1449 people found that two out of five people who checked their symptoms using an anxiety screening checklist had experienced mild to severe anxiety in the previous two weeks.
Of those, fewer than half – just 46 per cent – reported having sought professional support.
Some common signs of anxiety include:
Excessive worrying about things that could go wrong;
Racing mind that won’t calm down;
Feeling tense or on edge;
A racing heart;
And sleeping problems.
On average, it can take more than eight years for people with anxiety issues to seek support.“Anxiety can take many forms and it’s important to understand that with the right support, recovery is possible and these issues can be managed,” Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said.
The first step towards managing anxiety is learning to spot its signs and symptoms. People can also use an anxiety screening checklist, available free on the Beyond Blue website.
Mental health professionals are also available at the Beyond Blue Support Service via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3PM – 12AM AEST or email responses within 24 hours).