What is Anxiety?

Extreme emotions of stress,

apprehension and unease,
affecting a persons ability to
cope with day-to-day activities
such as school, work and
socializing. The experience and
type of anxiety differs for each
person, and can be naturally
apart of ones genetic make up
or personality. (Anon 2016)

Causes of Anxiety:
Substance

(Elkington et al. 2012, p. 515)

How Common Is Anxiety?

Types of Anxiety:
(National Survey of Mental Health and
Wellbeing: Summary of Results 2007)

o
o
o
o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

"excessive, uncontrollable
worrying"
"restlessness, keyed up, on
edge"
"irritability"
"muscle tension"
"sleep disturbance"
"difficulty concentrating"
"easily fatigued"
"agitation"
"difficulty relaxing"
low frustration tolerance"
"heart rate changes, sweating
or trembling"

The most commonly experienced

mental disorder for young Australians
affecting 15% aged 16 to 24. (Mental

o
o
o
o

15.4% of young Australians between

the ages of 16 to 24
have experienced anxiety disorders

36% or 5 times more young people

aged between 16 to 24 with a mental
disorder, were more likely to abuse
the use of drugs. (Mental Health of
Young People 2007)

Body Image

Health of Young People 2007)

Panic Disorder
o
Agoraphobia
Social Phobia
Generalised
Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms of Anxiety:
(Fowler et al. 2013, p. 65-66)

Utilising drugs can lead to the

development of anxiety, or can be
used to relieve symptoms of distress.

Comparisons to societal discourses

regarding being skinny can
exasperate issues regarding body
image resulting in social anxiety.
(Haley et al. 2006)

Family Unit

(National Survey of Mental Health and

Wellbeing: Summary of Results 2007)

Treatment for Anxiety:

(Anon 2016)

Parents suffering from depression or

other mental disorders can cause their
children anxiety (Bettis et al. 2016)
Chronic family distress and
maltreatment, high levels of conflict,
poor communication, dysfunctional
relationships, physical/sexual abuse,
neglect. (Thompson et al. 2012, p.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Antidepressant medication
Support groups and online forums
E-therapies
598)
- Visit www.mindhealthconnect.org.au
for online programs
Bullying
o Bulling or cyberbullying through
victimization and perpetration in a
school, work or social setting,
resulting in feelings of loneliness,
depression and low self-esteem.
(Testing Specificity: Associations of
Stress and Coping with Symptoms of
Anxiety and Depression in Youth2016,
p. 328-329)

References:
Fowler, Samuel ; Szab, Marianna 2013, The Emotional Experience Associated with Worrying in Adolescents, Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral
Assessment, Vol.35(1), pp.65-75
4326.0 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results 2007, Prevalence of Mental Disorders, Australian Bureau of Statistics , viewed 4
April 2016, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4326.0Main%20Features32007
4840.0.55.001- Mental Health of Young People 2007, One in four young Australians have a mental disorder: ABS, Australian Bureau of Statistics, viewed 4 April
2016, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/latestProducts/4840.0.55.001Media%20Release12007
Elkington, KS ; Bauermeister, Ja ; Zimmerman, MA 2010, Psychological Distress, Substance Use, and HIV/STI Risk Behaviors Among Youth, Journal Of Youth
And Adolescence, Vol.39(5), pp.514-527
Haley, Jessica 2006, "Why Am I So Fat?": A Study of the Interrelationship Between Poor Body Image and Social Anxiety, Human Architecture, Vol.4(1/2),
pp.121-130
Thompson, SJ ; Cochran, G ; Barczyk, An 2012, Family Functioning and Mental Health in Runaway Youth: Association With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms,
Journal Of Traumatic Stress, Vol.25(5), pp.598-601
Testing Specificity: Associations of Stress and Coping with Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Youth 2016, Journal of child and family studies, Vol.25(3),
p.949
Anon 2016, beyondblue, youthbeyondblue.com, viewed 28th April, 2016,
<https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/understand-what's-going-on/anxiety>