Private Anxiety Treatment in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions about Anxiety
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion, but it can become a disorder when it is excessive, persistent, and interferes with your activities of daily life. It is a natural response to stress or danger, characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease. It can vary in intensity and duration and affect physical and mental well-being.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Symptoms of anxiety can include feelings of fear, excessive worrying, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep and eating disturbances. Physical symptoms may also manifest, such as rapid heartbeat, palpitations, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath.
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How is anxiety diagnosed?
Anxiety is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examinations, psychological evaluations, and discussions about symptoms and medical history. A healthcare professional such as a psychiatrist may also use diagnostic criteria outlined in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) to make a diagnosis.
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What are the different types of anxiety disorders?
Many different types of anxiety disorders can cause significant distress. These include Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), Panic disorder, Social phobia or Social anxiety disorder, Agoraphobia, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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What are the treatment options for anxiety?
Treatment options for anxiety can include therapy such as Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Human Givens (HG) therapy, medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, stress management techniques, and 7:11 diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation exercises. It is important to work with a healthcare professional such as a psychiatrist to determine the most suitable approach for your individual needs.
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Can anxiety be prevented?
While anxiety cannot always be prevented, certain strategies such as stress management, healthy lifestyle choices, regular exercise, adequate sleep, avoiding alcohol and drugs, and seeking support when needed can help reduce the risk of developing anxiety.
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Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. It is typically associated with a fear of loss. Possible causes include:
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Work – job interview, feeling pressure at work, unemployment, or retirement
Family – relationship difficulties, divorce, or caring for someone
Financial problems – unexpected bills or borrowing money
Health – having a medical test, e.g. COVID-19, illness, injury, or bereavement
Education - feeling pressure at school, college, or university, sitting an exam
Difficult past experiences – bullying, abuse, neglect, or trauma
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Anxiety Disorders - learn more
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Self-help
Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional, or counsellor.
Contact Samaritans, call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to.
Use calming breathing exercises such as 7:11 diaphragmatic breathing.
Exercise – running, walking, swimming, and yoga can help you relax.
Find out how to get to sleep if you're struggling.
Eat a healthy balanced diet with regular meals to keep your energy levels stable.
Consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website.
Listen to free mental well-being audio guides.
Search and download relaxation and mindfulness apps or online community apps from the NHS apps library.
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If you need more support, you can get free psychological therapies like Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS. You can self-refer directly to an NHS psychological therapy service (IAPT/ Wellbeing service) without a GP referral.
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Statistics from 2020 suggest that 60% of the population is suffering from anxiety after the COVID-19 lockdown. More severe or chronic anxiety may benefit from medical treatment with antidepressants or other medication in combination with psychological therapies.
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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/understanding-panic/
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs53
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