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What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal human response to stress or perceived threat, often experienced as feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear.

In small amounts, anxiety can help us stay alert and focused. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, or occurs without a clear trigger, it may indicate an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions, including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. Anxiety disorders are recognised mental health conditions that can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall wellbeing.

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What causes anxiety to become disordered?

Anxiety disorders arise when the brain’s stress response becomes overactive.

While occasional anxiety is a normal response to stress, anxiety disorders develop when the body’s “fight or flight” system becomes dysregulated. Genetics, trauma, chronic stress, and chemical imbalances in brain circuits that control emotion and threat perception all contribute. Over time, this leads to persistent worry, hypervigilance, and physical tension.

While conventional treatments such as psychotherapy and medication are effective for many, some individuals experience treatment-resistant anxiety.

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Common symptoms of anxiety disorders

Anxiety can affect both the mind and body, manifesting with cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms.

While everyone experiences it differently, common symptoms of anxiety disorders can include:

  • Excessive or uncontrollable worry
  • Restlessness or feeling “on edge”
  • Racing heart, sweating, or trembling
  • Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
  • Muscle tension, fatigue, or irritability
  • Panic attacks with shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger fear or panic
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Types of anxiety disorders

Anxiety isn’t one condition — it’s a family of disorders that affect mind and body in different ways.

How can we help

At Anodyne, we provide therapies for patients whose anxiety has not improved with standard approaches.

Our treatments focus on depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain — conditions that often overlap and are frequently accompanied by anxiety, requiring an integrated, precision-based approach to care.

Ketamine therapy

Ketamine therapy works differently from traditional medications, calming overactive brain pathways and producing rapid relief from anxiety symptoms when associated with depression.

Ketamine therapy
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Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)

Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) targets the "fight-or-flight" system, reducing hyperarousal and physical symptoms such as racing heart, hypervigilance, or panic, particularly when associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Stellate ganglion block
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Our unique approach

Anxiety disorders affect both the mind and body, requiring an integrated approach that addresses psychological, neurological, and physiological factors.

At Anodyne, our dual expertise in psychiatry and pain medicine allows us to treat the whole person with precision and care.

What to expect

Personalised treatment plans for treatment-resistant anxiety

1.
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Collaboration with psychiatrists, GPs, and psychologists for integrated support

2.
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Evidence-based therapies tailored to patient needs

3.
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Focus on restoring functionality and long-term wellbeing

4.
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Why choose Anodyne?

We understand how overwhelming anxiety can be.

At Anodyne, our team listens carefully, provides compassionate care, and offers treatments in safe, accredited clinics. We specialise in helping people who feel stuck after trying other options.


About Anodyne
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Want to know more?

Take the next step

If you are struggling with anxiety, particularly if associated with depression or PTSD, that has not improved with standard treatments, advanced options may help. Book an appointment or make an enquiry today.

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