Not only do we live in fear of the disorder, we live in fear of other people knowing we have it. Many of us live in silence in case our employer, friends and family find out. This silence is passed on from generation to generation. As we begin to understand our disorder, many of us realise that one of our parents or other family members also has the disorder. Sometimes, tragically, when our parents or other family members became aware that the disorder was beginning to develop in the next generation, they remained silent, just as many of us are now doing.
This silence needs to be broken. Anxiety disorders directly affect two million Australians, and indirectly affect families, friends, employers and the community as a whole. Together we have an enormous voice which can help to speed up the changes needed in the health care system.
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