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| DISCLAIMER The information contained in this Directory is produced by the Anxiety Disorders Foundation of Western Australia Inc as a service. No person should rely on the contents of this publication without also obtaining advice from a qualified health professional. The authors and the Foundation are not responsible for the results of any action taken on the basis of the information in this publication. |
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THIS DIRECTORY |
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| The purpose of
this Services Directory is to provide information to anyone who has just
been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or who has been experiencing
disturbing anxiety symptoms or panic attacks.
If you or your organisation would like to be included in this Directory, please fill in the form at the end, and/ or write to: ADF – WA, PO Box 130, Nedlands, WA 6909 While due care has been taken to ensure accuracy, please advise the ADF of any errors and amendments so that these can be adjusted in future editions. The directory was supported by an unrestricted grant from Glaxo Smith
Kline. |
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INTRODUCTION |
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| The initial onset
of anxiety symptoms are often frightening and bewildering. In many
instances, sufferers think they may be going mad or experiencing a heart
attack. Others experience extreme embarrassment in particular
situations, display compulsive traits or seem to be overcome with
irrational or obsessive thoughts. There are those who are in a perpetual
state of anxiety (the so called “worry warts”) whereas others become
excessively frightened of relatively harmless creatures, such as
cockroaches, spiders or moths. Whatever the condition or symptom, the
onset of an anxiety disorder is, to put it mildly, most unpleasant. The
good news is that people do not die from their severe anxiety attack and
that current treatment methods have excellent outcomes.
A serious dilemma faced by people who experience the first onslaught of an anxiety attack is “where can I go to get help.” This situation is often made more difficult because their personality is such that they hitherto presented as extremely responsible and competent human beings. With such a self- image, the action of consulting a GP and confessing to having seemingly uncontrollable feelings is somewhat daunting. Similarly, it can prove very difficult for someone with social anxiety to tell a complete stranger of their inexplicable “shyness.” However, for your own well being, it is absolutely essential that you consult a GP or other health professional in order to get onto the recovery road as soon as possible. It is very difficult to self treat your disorder, because it is often your thinking that lead to an anxiety condition and unless you have a trained health professional to help you examine and adjust your thinking, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to think your way out of you predicament. This Directory includes a list of assorted health professionals available for your assistance. Your first port of call is usually your local or family GP. It is suggested that you read the section “How to get want you want from your General Practitioner” before your next visit. Remember, you are paying them to give you support so be sure to get the support that you need. At some stage in the process of recovery, you will probably consult one or more psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists etc. In all instances, the advice given about GP’s applies to the other health professionals as well. Depending upon the nature of your treatment program (and make sure you have one), it may be recommended that medication be included. Provided that it is administered prudently and over a designated period, medication can prove useful in stabilising the anxiety condition. However, it is generally acknowledged that medication will relieve the symptoms but not cure the complaint. An outline of commonly prescribed medication is contained within this publication. |
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To contact ADF, write to: |
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