Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in Australia, affecting around 1 in 4 people at some stage of their life (Beyond Blue). Around 15% of Australians aged 16-24 experience an anxiety disorder each year (Orygen). Everyone feels anxious sometimes. You may have heard the phrase ‘fight, flight, or freeze’ response. This is anxiety being activated physiologically. The brain and body work together to keep us alert to possible threats by releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and increasing our heart rate. In small amounts, it can be helpful and motivating but when the body becomes overprotective and reads every uncertainty as danger, our nervous system can become stuck in high alert mode. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable and with the right support, living with it becomes easier too.