Your GP may offer you self-help resources such as workbooks or online CBT courses. Your GP will assess you during your appointment and then explain your treatment options. Or you could refer yourself for talking therapy (in England only) if that feels easier. They could also come with you to your appointment for support. See if you can book an appointment online or ask someone to call up to book it for you. This might feel hard, especially if your anxiety makes it difficult to speak on the phone or leave your home. The first step to getting support is usually to speak to your GP. The right treatment for you will depend on your type of anxiety disorder, how severe it is and your circumstances. There are different ways to treat and manage anxiety disorders. Your current life situation can also trigger anxiety – for example, money or housing problems, unemployment, work stress, loneliness, bullying, or difficult family or personal relationships. These include genetics, painful long-term health conditions, traumatic events such as childhood abuse or domestic violence, or drug or alcohol misuse. Many different factors can make anxiety disorders more likely to happen. Up to 1 in 20 people in the UK have a generalised anxiety disorder. phobias – an overwhelming fear of a specific object, place, situation or feelingĪnxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems.obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – having recurring unpleasant thoughts (obsessions) and performing certain routines (compulsions) to relieve anxiety.social anxiety disorder – a fear or dread of social situations.post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – having anxiety problems after experiencing a very stressful or frightening event.panic disorder – having regular panic attacks, often for no apparent reason.generalised anxiety disorder – feeling anxious or worried most of the time.If your anxiety symptoms meet certain criteria, your GP may diagnose you with an anxiety disorder. You may have developed ways of hiding your anxiety so that other people don’t notice it. Some people with anxiety may appear to be fine on the outside while still having some of the symptoms listed above. Avoiding it only reinforces the feeling of danger and never gives you a chance to find out whether your fears are true or not. While avoiding situations can give you short-term relief, the anxiety often returns the next time you’re in the situation. You may withdraw from friends and family, feel unable to go to work, or avoid certain places. heart palpitations (a noticeably strong, fast heartbeat)Īnxiety can also affect your behaviour.shortness of breath or hyperventilating.wobbly legs or pins and needles in your hands and feet.feeling detached from yourself or the world around you.a feeling of dread or fearing the worst.What are the symptoms of anxiety?Īnxiety can affect both your body and mind. There are many different types of treatment, so talk to your GP about all your options. Help is available no matter how long you’ve felt anxious or severe your symptoms. If your anxiety is ongoing, intense, hard to control or out of proportion to your situation, it can be a sign of a mental health problem. However, anxiety can be a problem if it affects your ability to live your life. It can spur us on, help us stay alert, make us aware of risks and motivate us to solve problems.

It’s how we respond to feeling threatened, under pressure or stressed: for example, if we have an exam, job interview or doctor’s appointment.Īnxiety isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This content discusses anxiety, panic attacks, loneliness or isolation, trauma and substance abuse or addiction (which may include mentions of alcohol or drug use), which some people may find triggering.

General thoughts on anxiety