Tune in to Insight on SBS at 7.30pm tonight (May 11) to watch 'Anxiety', an in-depth discussion about anxiety disorders, including panic attacks.

This is an especially important topic given that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in Australia. Nearly one in 10 people will experience some type of anxiety disorder in any one year, and one in four people will experience an anxiety disorder at some stage of their lives.

An anxiety disorder involves more than just feeling stressed - it's a serious illness, and people who experience it find it hard to function every day.

The program includes representatives from blueVoices (beyondblue's national consumer and carer reference group) who offered to provide personal insights into their experience of living with anxiety disorders.

Insight will hear from one man who was unable to leave his house for years because his social anxiety became so debilitating, and from a woman whose panic attacks control her daily movements.

The episode will also feature psychiatrists, psychologists and researchers talking about treatments for people experiencing anxiety - and hear how online therapy is revolutionising treatment.

Anxiety disorders are common, but effective treatments are available - the sooner a person gets help, the sooner they can learn to control these conditions.

beyondblue offers a range of freely available information materials that can help.

For detailed fact sheets about a range of anxiety disorders, available treatments and where to get help, click here: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=7.980, or call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636 (local call cost from a landline).

For more information about the program click here: http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/episode/index/id/217

blueVoices

beyondblue values the personal experiences of people affected by depression, anxiety and related disorders. Therefore, we encourage people with these experiences, and their family members, carers and friends, to get involved and join blueVoices.

blueVoices is a national consumer and carer reference group for beyondblue. blueVoices is an e-based (email) reference group and members choose their level of involvement based on their interest and availability.

Some of the opportunities offered to blueVoices members include:

• providing input into the development of beyondblue resources, programs and community awareness campaigns
• speaking publicly at forums or to the media about their experiences through the Ambassador Program
• representing their perspectives on committees and working groups
• taking part in research studies
• assisting to disseminate resources at events

To join blueVoices, please complete an Expression-of-Interest form which can be downloaded from the beyondblue website via this link. http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=104.1006