Understanding Anxiety. Symptoms, Causes and Evidence‑Based Support

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek psychological support. It can affect children, adolescents and adults, and may show up differently across life stages. While anxiety is a normal human response to stress or perceived threat, it can become overwhelming when it interferes with daily life, relationships, work, or physical health.

At The Three Seas Psychology, we regularly support people experiencing anxiety in its many forms. This article explains what anxiety is, how it can present, and how evidence‑based psychological therapy can help.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the body and mind’s natural alarm system. It helps us anticipate danger and prepare for challenges. When functioning well, anxiety can be motivating and protective. However, anxiety becomes problematic when the alarm system stays switched on for too long, activates too easily, or responds to situations that are not genuinely threatening.

Problematic anxiety is not a personal weakness or failure. It is a nervous system response shaped by biology, life experiences, stressors, and patterns of thinking and relating.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety can affect people emotionally, cognitively, physically and behaviourally. Symptoms vary between individuals and may fluctuate over time.

Emotional symptoms may include:

• Persistent worry or fear
• Feeling on edge, tense or overwhelmed
• Irritability or emotional sensitivity

Cognitive symptoms may include:

• Racing or intrusive thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating
• Catastrophic thinking or over‑anticipating negative outcomes

Physical symptoms may include:

• Tight chest or shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate or palpitations
• Muscle tension, headaches or jaw clenching
• Gastrointestinal discomfort or nausea
• Fatigue or disrupted sleep

Behavioural patterns may include:

• Avoidance of certain situations, places or people
• Reassurance‑seeking
• Over‑preparing or procrastination
• Social withdrawal

Types of Anxiety Presentations

Anxiety is an umbrella term that includes several common presentations:

• Generalised Anxiety – persistent, excessive worry across multiple areas of life
• Social Anxiety – fear of judgment, embarrassment or rejection in social or performance situations
• Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder – sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms
• Health Anxiety – ongoing fear about health, illness or bodily sensations
• Specific Phobias – intense fear of particular objects or situations
• Anxiety related to trauma or chronic stress

Anxiety can also co‑occur with depression, burnout, chronic pain, neurodiversity, or physical health conditions.

What Causes Anxiety?

Anxiety usually develops through a combination of factors rather than one single cause. These may include:

• Genetic or biological vulnerability
• Early life experiences or attachment patterns
• Trauma or adverse experiences
• Ongoing stress, burnout or life transitions
• Perfectionism, high self‑expectations or people‑pleasing tendencies
• Chronic illness or pain

Understanding how anxiety developed is often an important part of therapy, as it allows treatment to be tailored to the individual rather than just addressing surface symptoms.

How Psychology Can Help With Anxiety

Psychological therapy provides a safe and structured space to understand anxiety and develop new ways of responding to it. At The Three Seas Psychology, our clinicians work collaboratively with clients using evidence‑based approaches that are adapted to each person’s needs.

Depending on the individual, therapy for anxiety may include:

• Identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns
• Learning nervous system regulation and grounding strategies
• Gradual exposure to avoided situations
• Developing emotional awareness and tolerance
• Exploring relational patterns and attachment themes
• Processing past experiences that contribute to anxiety
• Strengthening self‑compassion and internal safety

We work with adults, couples, children and adolescents, recognising that anxiety often shows up differently at different stages of life.

Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents may not always have the language to describe anxiety. Instead, it may appear as:

• Frequent stomach aches or headaches
• School refusal or academic avoidance
• Emotional outbursts or withdrawal
• Sleep difficulties
• Excessive reassurance‑seeking from caregivers

Early support can help young people develop emotional regulation skills and prevent anxiety patterns from becoming more entrenched over time. Our clinicians work closely with families when supporting children and adolescents.

When to Seek Support

You may benefit from professional support if anxiety:

• Persists for weeks or months
• Interferes with work, study or relationships
• Leads to avoidance or restriction of life activities
• Feels unmanageable despite self‑help strategies

Seeking help early can reduce distress and improve long‑term outcomes.

Medicare and Rebate Options

Psychological support at The Three Seas Psychology may be accessed through several pathways, including:

• Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans (GP referral required)
• Private health insurance rebates (depending on your cover)
• Third‑party funding, such as WorkCover or TAC, where applicable

We also provide information to help clients understand the difference between brief early‑intervention services and ongoing psychological therapy, so they can choose the level of support that best meets their needs.

Anxiety Support at The Three Seas Psychology

At The Three Seas Psychology, we provide face‑to‑face psychological therapy across our Melbourne locations. Our approach is relational, evidence‑based and tailored to the whole person — not just the symptoms.

If anxiety is impacting your life or the life of someone you care about, support is available.

Related Support & Services

If you’re seeking further information or support, the following pages may be helpful:

• Mental Health Care Plans
  Learn how a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan can help you access structured psychological support and Medicare rebates.

• Medicare Mental Health Check-In vs Ongoing Therapy
  Understand the difference between brief early-intervention services and ongoing psychological therapy, and which option may best suit your needs.

• Child & Adolescent Psychology
  Explore how anxiety can present in children and adolescents, and how early psychological support can help young people build emotional regulation and resilience.

To learn more or make an enquiry, contact The Three Seas Psychology today.

 

This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not replace individual psychological assessment or treatment.