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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Anxiety and its effects

    Related Topics
    Anxiety Depression Mental Health
    Anxiety started January this year and ever since it has not been easy for me. I have a few questions: 1.) Should I seek help if I have recurring thoughts of death or anticipating bad things to happen like a car accident (I always take the transit.) Am I just overthinking about it? 2.) Is it normal to have mild chest congestion or tightness as a physical symptom/s of anxiety? I always take apple cider and/or warm compress when I'm home and get chest congestion. 3.) Whenever I'm tired whether by a lack of sleep or drained from work, can it trigger it back? 4.) It has been an on and off thing for me, so I have not talked to my doctor yet. 5.) What should I do when I get it unexpectedly especially when in public? 6.) Am I depressed even though I don't feel it or maybe not aware that I am. Also, my left eye has been twitching for a few days now, what does it mean?
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    • Dr Zhuang Miao
    • Nonie Carr
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    Dr Zhuang Miao

    Psychiatrist

    Dr Zhuang Miao is a general adult psychiatrist and a Fellow of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Dr Miao works as … View Profile

    Hi, 

    It looks like you have realized that you might have anxiety symptoms and possible depressive symptoms as well. I am impressed by your insight through the problems. I would strongly suggest you to seek professional help as they are treatable conditions, even though recurrence could happen. It normally involves both pharmacological and psychological treatment.

    Take care. 

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    Nonie Carr

    Counselling Psychologist, Psychologist

    I’ve been working with people for over 15 years, first as a secondary teacher and for the past 10 years as a Counselling Psychologist in … View Profile

    Hi there,

    you have described some of the normal physiological symptoms of anxiety: tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing, and twitching. Recurring unhelpful thoughts are common in anxiety. And it is not unusual fro anxiety to be more easily triggered when tired or fatigued. Other physiological symptoms experienced when anxious can be quicker and more shallow breathing, faster heart rate, butterflies or nausea, sweaty palms, flushed checks, tight shoulders, hyper-alertness, and the need to go to the toilet.

    Anxiety is a normal response to perceived threat and is sometimes called the survival mechanism or flight-fight-freeze response. It is possible to learn strategies that can make managing anxiety easier and can reduce your experience.

    I would recommend seeing your GP and then seeing a qualified psychologist to help you learn appropriate ways to manage more effectively. Sometimes pharmacological treatment is helpful as an addition to psychological treatment.  

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