Anxiety and Panic

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What is anxiety and panic?

Anxiety is a natural and normal response to stress, or worry. We all experience anxiety from time to time as it’s an evolutionary response designed to keep us safe (think of early humans as hunter-gatherers, and fight or flight responses being triggered from rustling heard in the bush). However sometimes anxiety can be problematic if it goes on for too long, or the symptoms are too extreme.

Our psychologists are able to offer evidence-based treatment for anxiety. We’re here to help, please contact us to find out more, or if you are an exisiting client, you can book an appointment online.

Signs and symptoms of anxiety and panic

Symptoms of anxiety

  • Ongoing worry that is difficult to stop
  • Feeling “on edge” or “wired”
  • Feeling like your mind is racing, or you can’t turn off your thoughts
  • Feeling jumpy, restless or on edge
  • Being unable to stop thinking about something
  • Feelings of unexplainable dread

Physical symptoms of anxiety

  • Feeling nervous or jittery
  • Feeling sick, or like you have butterflies in your stomach
  • A racing heart
  • Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
  • Feeling shaky or sweaty
  • Chest tightness 
  • Muscle tension
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Tingling or numbness

Panic attacks

A panic attack is a sudden, intense rush of fear and physical terror that can come over you, even when there is not a significant threat present..

Essentially, your body’s highly effective fight-or-flight system—which is designed to help you survive a lion attack or a falling object—is accidentally triggered by everyday stress, a worrying thought, or sometimes for what might seem like no clear reason at all. Panic attacks can be very distressing and scary, and often reach a peak within minutes, before gradually subsiding. Panic attacks can be a part of anxiety, or they might occur without anxiety.

So, what can I do?

Sometimes, anxiety and panic can impact our sleep, our work, our relationships and our ability to do the things we need to in our lives. If you find that anxiety is becoming difficult to manage, it might be time to seek help. Our psychologists are able to work with you to understand the reasons for your anxiety and to help you to manage it.

Get in touch to find a psychologist near me or to find an anxiety psychologist in Melbourne.

Medicare rebates are available, and we offer telehealth appointments. We also have Workcover and TAC psychologists.

Psychology FAQs

Have a question? Take a look below… these are some of the common questions we get.

No referral is needed to book a session, but if you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you might be eligible for Medicare rebates.

Yep, life happens! Just give us at least 48 hours’ notice so we can offer that spot to someone else. Cancellations within 48 hours will incur a fee.

We don’t usually offer instalment plans, but if money’s tight, chat with us privately – we’re happy to see how we can find a solution.

The Medicare rebates are listed above, but if you on WorkCover, TAC or VOCAT the gap fees tend to be lower. With private insurance, we find they tend to be on-par with Medicare rebates. We can help you understand what’s covered and what your gap fee will be – just ask us when booking.

No worries! You can book on their behalf, just make sure you have their consent and relevant details to help our intake process.

Ready to talk?

Please get in touch today to have a chat to our friendly team so we can match you with an appropriate psychologist. If you are an exisitng client, you can book online.

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