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Anxiety Disorders in Veterans: Types, Symptoms & Treatment

February 19, 2025 | By March Ahead Team
Anxiety Disorders in Veterans: Types, Symptoms & Treatment

While some anxiety is a normal part of life, anxiety disorders involve persistent, excessive worry that interferes with daily functioning. For veterans, anxiety disorders can develop in response to military experiences, the stress of transition, or as a companion to conditions like PTSD.

This article explores the main types of anxiety disorders affecting veterans, how to recognise the symptoms, and the treatment options available.

Key Statistic: Research indicates that anxiety disorders (including PTSD) are the most common mental health category in ADF personnel, affecting approximately 14.8% of serving members. Social phobia affects approximately 11% of transitioned veterans. (Source: ADF Mental Health Prevalence Study)

Types of Anxiety Disorders in Veterans

There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with distinct features. The most common among veterans include:

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD involves persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life — work, health, family, finances. People with GAD find it difficult to control their worry and experience it on most days for at least six months.

Approximately 6% of Australians experience GAD at some point in their lives. Research suggests it may be even more common in veterans, with studies showing around 14% of Vietnam veterans have been affected.

Symptoms include:

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks — sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. People with panic disorder often live in fear of the next attack.

Approximately 5.4% of transitioned ADF members experience panic disorder. During a panic attack, you might experience:

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Social anxiety involves intense fear of social situations where you might be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinised by others. An estimated 11% of transitioned veterans experience social phobia.

This can lead to avoiding social situations, difficulty in work environments, and significant distress in everyday interactions.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia involves fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic symptoms occur. Approximately 11.9% of transitioned veterans experience agoraphobia. This can result in avoiding public transport, open spaces, enclosed spaces, crowds, or being outside the home alone.

Why Veterans May Be at Higher Risk

Several factors can contribute to anxiety disorders in veterans:

While PTSD is classified separately, it shares features with anxiety disorders — particularly the hyperarousal symptoms like being easily startled, feeling on edge, and sleep difficulties.

Many veterans have both PTSD and an additional anxiety disorder. Over 50% of veterans with one mental health disorder have a comorbid condition. This is why comprehensive psychiatric assessment is important for identifying all relevant diagnoses.

Evidence-Based Treatments for Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Effective approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the gold-standard psychological treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns, and gradually facing feared situations in a controlled way (exposure therapy).

Exposure Therapy

Gradual, controlled exposure to feared situations helps reduce anxiety over time. This is particularly effective for phobias, panic disorder, and social anxiety.

Medication

SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line medications for most anxiety disorders. They can be used alone or in combination with psychological therapy. A psychiatrist can advise on the most appropriate approach for your situation.

Lifestyle Factors

Reducing caffeine and alcohol, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques can all support anxiety management alongside formal treatment.

Getting Help Through DVA

If your anxiety disorder is related to your ADF service, DVA may accept liability and cover treatment costs. The process typically involves:

  1. Submitting a claim to DVA
  2. Undergoing a psychiatric assessment if requested
  3. DVA making a liability decision
  4. Accessing treatment covered by DVA

From 2025, DVA accepts diagnoses for anxiety disorders from treating Clinical Psychologists and GPs with an ongoing relationship, in addition to psychiatrists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is anxiety the same as stress?

While related, they're not the same. Stress is usually a response to a specific situation and resolves when the situation changes. Anxiety disorders involve persistent, excessive worry that continues even when there's no immediate threat, and significantly impacts daily functioning.

Can panic attacks cause physical harm?

While panic attacks feel frightening and the physical symptoms can be intense, they are not dangerous and won't cause physical harm. Understanding this can help reduce fear of future attacks.

Do I need medication for anxiety?

Not necessarily. Many people respond well to psychological therapy alone. Medication may be recommended for moderate to severe cases, or when therapy alone hasn't been sufficient. A psychiatrist can advise on the best approach for your situation.

Can I claim for multiple anxiety conditions?

Yes. If you have multiple conditions (e.g., GAD, social anxiety, and PTSD), each can be assessed and potentially accepted by DVA as part of your claim.

Book with March Ahead

March Ahead provides comprehensive DVA psychiatric assessments for all anxiety-related conditions. Our assessments include mandatory psychometric testing and are available with no waitlist.

Call to Schedule: +61 734 351 513