Online Anxiety Treatment

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural human response to danger and is referred to as the flight, fight or freeze response needed to keep us safe. When anxiety is persistent and excessive for other non-life-threatening reasons, and is interfering with your daily life, then it could be you are dealing with an anxiety disorder. According to Beyond Blue 1 in 4 Australians experience an anxiety disorder sometime over their lifetime. Experts agree that Anxiety disorders are caused by an interaction between genetic, environmental or social factors. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable and can be managed with the help of a trained psychologist.

What does anxiety feel like?

Anxiety can develop slowly over time or show up suddenly, making it difficult to understand why you feel this way. The periods of ‘normal anxiety or nervousness’ are usually short-lived and are associated with things like exams, job interviews or confrontations, and once these events are over, these feelings pass. This is not the case for anxiety disorders, the uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, shaking, racing heartbeat, clammy or sweaty skin, headaches, worries or racing thoughts of danger (just to name a few), continue without any logical reason. Anxiety can make you feel like you are going crazy, reduce your belief in your ability to cope with daily tasks, indecisiveness and at their worst, can isolate you from the world. The symptoms of anxiety can cause insomnia, a reduction in appetite, irritability and feelings of being ‘on edge’.

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

There are many anxiety disorders identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 5th Edition (DSM-5). The main six adult anxiety disorders are as follows:

1. Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder where the physical symptoms of anxiety are so extreme that they lead to panic attacks and a sense of impending doom. The individual becomes heightened in perceiving anxiety so can misinterpret and catastrophise non-anxiety symptoms i.e., a faster heartbeat caused by exercising or drinking coffee and cycle into a state of panic.

2. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is uncomfortable worrying and excessive fears about many things in life without any evidence for such worries. For example a securely employed, healthy person with GAD may spend most of their day worrying excessively about their job security or their health.

3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects 3% of Australians in their lifetime (Beyond Blue) and is characterised by recurring and unwanted thoughts or images (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualistic behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) to alleviate the feelings of anxiety caused by the obsessions. This disorder usually consists of themes of checking or contamination causing the person with OCD to recheck things over and over or wash their hands repeatedly. These behaviours can take up much of the day, impacting on their ability to function in their daily lives. OCD can be extremely debilitating to the sufferer if left untreated.

4. Specific Phobias are irrational and extreme fears of specific situations (flying, elevators or heights), animals (spiders, dogs or frogs) objects (injections, germs or clowns). These fears can limit individuals in their daily lives.

5. Social Anxiety Disorder is the fear of being in social situations including areas where social interactions may occur i.e., shopping centres. This disorder involves assumptions that others are judging or criticising them. Social anxiety is a common condition and highly correlated with victims of bullying.

6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result from either witnessing or being exposed to the details of a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks to the traumatic event, and extremely high anxiety causing major disruptions to daily functioning. Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is the result of experiencing more than one traumatic event and can be the outcome of childhood trauma. Some people with PTSD or CPTSD turn to using substances to self-medicate, often leading to addiction issues and other mental health issues.

Types of online therapy for anxiety disorders

Online anxiety treatment approaches include a combination of therapy, an increase in social and medical (in some cases) support, as well as lifestyle changes. In accordance with the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Kind Mind Psychology has professional online anxiety psychologists who will tailor a treatment plan which includes a combination of evidence-based therapies delivered via telehealth to address anxiety disorders, these include:

• Psychoeducation involving thorough clinical assessment of your personal symptoms of anxiety, the history of these symptoms, and how you have coped with anxiety in the past. It also includes providing accurate, up-to-date education and feedback to the client on the impact their anxiety can have on their mental and physical wellbeing.

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is used in anxiety therapy to identify and modify any unhelpful thoughts and behaviour patterns, and increase confidence for change through developing more positive coping skills. Your psychologist will assist you with practicing these to improve your quality of life.

• Schema Therapy can be part of anxiety therapy especially if anxiety has been a chronic problem for you. The Schema Therapy approach identifies any unmet needs and core beliefs stemming from childhood which impact negatively on emotions, thoughts and patterns of behaviours. Your Schema therapists can help you to meet any unmet core emotional needs and weaken unhelpful patterns of behaviour to more positive ways to cope. Schema Therapy is also useful in treating traumatic experiences associated with PTSD and CPTSD.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapy approach that helps you to accept (not like or enjoy) what you are thinking and feeling but instead of fusing to, or struggling to change these thoughts, teach you mindfulness strategies to be ‘curious’ about them, and learn ways to let them go. ACT is a core values-driven therapy approach that focuses on guiding you towards your own meaningful life goals.

What are the impacts of untreated anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable and it is never too late to ask for help. If anxiety disorders remain untreated they can compound and reduce quality of life. The following are common consequences to untreated anxiety disorders:

- Strain on relationships as a result of over worry, irritable or angry mood swings, avoidance of family gatherings or events or being overly dependent on partners, family and friends.

- Chronic anxiety and stress can lead to various physical health issues, including burnout, cardiovascular issues, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and autoimmune diseases.

- Addiction issues can develop when the person with an anxiety disorder self-medicates through the use of substances like alcohol or other drugs to reduce their anxiety symptoms. Behavioural addictions such as gaming or porn addiction can result from avoiding anxiety provoking situations in favour of escaping into these activities.

- Anxiety can generalise to many areas of our lives if untreated making leaving our house a difficult exercise. This can impact on our social, academic or occupational functioning. In extreme cases, this can lead to unemployment and financial hardship.

- Other mental health disorders can develop as a result of untreated anxiety. For instance, feeling anxious for long periods of time can be exhausting and can easily cycle into depression.