What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal response to stress, but for around one in six adults it becomes persistent, disproportionate and disabling. Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety, health anxiety and specific phobias.
Anxiety frequently coexists with ADHD, depression and autism. Untreated ADHD in particular is a common driver of chronic anxiety in adults, which is why our assessments always screen for neurodevelopmental conditions.
Signs and symptoms
Psychological
- Persistent worry that is hard to control
- Feeling on edge, restless or irritable
- Dread, fear of losing control or of something terrible happening
- Difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
Physical
- Racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath
- Sweating, trembling, dizziness or nausea
- Muscle tension, headaches, stomach problems
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Panic attacks
- Sudden surges of intense fear peaking within minutes
- Fear of having another attack
- Avoiding places where attacks have happened
Behavioural
- Avoiding social situations, travel or responsibilities
- Seeking constant reassurance
- Checking symptoms or searching health information online
How we assess anxiety
Your initial appointment lasts 60–90 minutes with a consultant psychiatrist. We take a full history of your symptoms, their triggers and impact, your physical health, medication, and any previous treatment. We use validated measures such as the GAD-7 and screen for related conditions including ADHD, depression, trauma and substance use.
You leave with a clear formulation of what is happening and why, and a written report within five working days.
How we treat anxiety
Anxiety responds very well to treatment. Depending on your preferences and the severity of your symptoms, your plan may include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the NICE first-line psychological treatment, delivered by our clinical psychologists
- Medication such as SSRIs or SNRIs where appropriate, carefully monitored
- Treatment of any underlying ADHD, which often reduces anxiety substantially
- Practical strategies for sleep, exercise, caffeine and alcohol
- Referral for EMDR where anxiety is trauma-related
"I'd been told for years I was just an anxious person. It turned out to be untreated ADHD. Treating that changed everything." — Patient, aged 38