Anxiety disorders

Types of anxiety disorder

Anxiety disorders all involve fear or worry that is out of proportion, but they differ in what the fear is about. Many people have more than one.

• Generalised anxiety disorder

  Worry about many everyday things, such as school, work, health, money or family, that is hard to control and is there most days. It often comes with tension, tiredness, poor sleep and trouble concentrating. It affects children and adults.

• Social anxiety disorder

  An intense fear of being watched, judged or embarrassed, so that speaking up, eating in front of others or going to school or work becomes hard. It is sometimes called social phobia, and it often begins in the early teenage years.

• Panic disorder

  Repeated, unexpected panic attacks: sudden waves of fear with a racing heart, breathlessness or dizziness, followed by worry about the next one. It usually starts in the late teens or adulthood. Some people begin to avoid places where escape feels hard (see agoraphobia on Phobias).

• Separation anxiety disorder

  Fear of being apart from parents or other close people that is well beyond what is usual for the age: distress at drop-off, trouble sleeping alone, or worry that something bad will happen to them. It is most common in children, but it can continue into adulthood.

• Selective mutism

  A child who talks freely at home but consistently cannot speak in some places, such as school, even though they want to. It is a form of anxiety, not shyness or defiance, and it is usually noticed when a child starts kindy or school.

• Health anxiety (illness anxiety disorder)

  Persistent worry about having or getting a serious illness, even after normal check-ups. It can lead to frequent body checking, searching online for symptoms, or avoiding doctors altogether. It most often starts in adulthood.

Signs to look for

• Constant worry that is hard to control
• Feeling restless, irritable or on edge
• Panic attacks
• Avoiding places, people or situations
• Racing heart, stomach aches or headaches
• In children: clinginess, school refusal or constant reassurance-seeking

Assessment

We work out what kind of anxiety it is (for example generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic, separation anxiety or obsessive-compulsive symptoms) and what keeps it going. For children, parents are part of the assessment, and school information can help.

Treatment

Dr Stanganelli assesses, diagnoses, prescribes where it helps, and coordinates your care with your GP, psychologist and school.

1. i.Cognitive behavioural therapy and gradual exposure, with your psychologist or one Dr Stanganelli can refer you to
2. ii.Guidance for parents of younger children
3. iii.Medication for moderate to severe anxiety
4. iv.Working with your psychologist, GP or school

Getting started

Ask your GP or paediatrician for a referral to Dr Stanganelli, then email it to appointments@stanganelli.com.au. Or post it to PO Box 5571, Mackay QLD 4740. All referrals are reviewed and assessed by Dr Stanganelli to determine suitability for the practice. Submission of a referral does not guarantee acceptance or an appointment. If your referral is accepted, we'll contact you with a time in Mackay, Brisbane or by telehealth, usually in under 4 weeks. If we can't accept a referral, we'll let the referring doctor or the patient know.

Request an appointment How referrals work