Anxiety & Panic Disorder
What are the common symptoms?
Anxiety and Panic Disorders are common mental health conditions that affect millions worldwide. Anxiety is characterised by persistent feelings of worry, fear, or unease, often disproportionate to the actual situation.
Panic Disorder, a subtype of anxiety, involves sudden and intense episodes of fear known as panic attacks, which can occur unexpectedly and cause significant distress. These disorders can interfere with daily life, work performance, and relationships if left untreated. While occasional anxiety is normal, chronic symptoms may indicate a clinical condition requiring professional support.
Understanding the common symptoms is essential for early recognition and intervention, as timely treatment can greatly improve quality of life. Symptoms can manifest physically, emotionally, and behaviourally, often overlapping between anxiety and panic disorders. Below are eight key symptoms frequently associated with these conditions.
- Excessive worry or fear
- Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating or trembling
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Feeling of impending doom
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Gastrointestinal distress
Why do I feel like this?
Feeling anxious can be unsettling, and understanding the reasons behind it is the first step towards managing it. Anxiety often stems from a combination of factors rather than a single cause. Below are four common contributors that may explain why you feel this way:
Genetic Predisposition
Environmental Stressors
Past Traumatic Experiences
Lifestyle and Health Factors
Daily habits strongly affect emotional well-being. Poor sleep, lack of physical activity, excessive caffeine, or unhealthy diet can amplify anxiety symptoms. Maintaining balanced routines—such as regular exercise, nutritious meals, and adequate rest—plays a crucial role in reducing stress and promoting resilience.
How does therapy help?
Therapy is a proven approach for managing anxiety and panic disorders, offering tools to reduce symptoms and improve overall well-being. It helps individuals understand triggers, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop coping strategies. Through structured sessions, therapy provides a safe space to explore fears and learn relaxation techniques. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and exposure therapy are commonly used methods that empower individuals to regain control over their lives. By addressing both emotional and physical symptoms, therapy promotes resilience and long-term recovery, making it an essential component in managing anxiety and panic disorders effectively.
Identifying Triggers
Therapy helps uncover specific triggers causing anxiety or panic, enabling individuals to understand patterns and reduce unexpected episodes through awareness and proactive management.
Cognitive Restructuring
CBT challenges irrational thoughts, replacing them with balanced perspectives. This reduces catastrophic thinking and promotes healthier responses to stressors, improving emotional stability.
Skill Development
Therapists teach coping skills like breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and mindfulness practices, empowering individuals to manage symptoms during high-stress situations effectively.
Gradual Exposure
Exposure therapy reduces fear by safely confronting anxiety-inducing situations in controlled steps, building confidence and reducing avoidance behaviours over time.
Emotional Support
Therapy provides a non-judgemental environment for expressing feelings, fostering trust and reducing isolation, which is vital for emotional healing and resilience.
Long-Term Strategies
Therapy equips individuals with sustainable techniques for stress management, relapse prevention, and maintaining mental health, ensuring lasting improvement beyond sessions.
What are the therapy options that Transformations Clinical Psychology can offer me?
Please contact us or follow this link if you would like to set up an assessment with a psychologist at Transformations Clinical Psychologist.
Meet Our Team
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FAQ
Q1. What happens in the first session? Do I need to prepare?
Your first appointment is 50–60 minutes. We’ll get to know you—what’s been hard, what you’d like to change, and what’s helped before. You’re welcome to bring notes or just come as you are; we’ll go at your pace. Please complete the online intake and consent forms beforehand. Sessions are available in person (Sydney) or via secure telehealth across Australia. We’ll finish with a clear plan and time for your questions. If you’re in immediate danger, call 000.
Q2. How do fees and Medicare/private insurance work? Do I need a GP referral?
You can book without a referral. If your GP provides a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. We’ll check your eligibility and confirm your out-of-pocket cost before you commit. Private health (Extras) can’t be claimed with Medicare for the same session—please check your fund for coverage. If cost is a concern, let us know and we’ll talk through options.
Q3. Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Your sessions and records are kept private under strict legal and ethical standards. There are a few exceptions—if there’s a serious risk of harm, concerns about a child or vulnerable person, or a court order. If we ever need to share information, we’ll explain why, what will be shared, and involve you as much as possible.