The Anxiety Disorders Team is a multi-disciplinary team, and specialises in the assessment and treatment of persons who have primary anxiety disorders. Healthlink South has made a commitment to participate in the training of health professionals, as such, senior students may be attached to our team At any time.
Whom to refer...
The team specialises in the treatment of adults between the ages of 18-64 inclusive, who suffer from primary anxiety disorders which include: Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, Specific Phobias, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
The Team does not provide treatment for persons with anxiety symptoms secondary to other major psychiatric disorders (such as Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Substance Use Disorders), but will provide an assessment when Anxiety Disorder is co-morbid with another psychiatric disorder and is a primary focus of concern for the patient.
Social Phobia:
Diagnostic Criteria:
Situations avoided, or endured with high levels of anxiety include:
Public speaking, eating or writing in front of others, speaking when in a group of people or at meetings, using public rest-rooms or public transport, or engaging in conversations with others.
Aetiology:
Under recognised and under-diagnosed.
A common disorder - 5% lifetime prevalence, but recent overseas studies suggest that this could be as high as 12-16%. Most common diagnosis made at HealthlinkSouth's Anxiety Disorders Unit, with a marked increase in numbers over recent years that seems to parallel results from other services and research.
Co-morbidity:
Treatment:
Majority do not seek treatment. Spontaneous remission is rare. Problems are often continuous, but severity of impairment may fluctuate with life stressors and demands.
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