Mental health Condition

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health experiences, affecting millions of people in the UK. It ranges from everyday worry to debilitating panic. CBT, mindfulness, and hypnotherapy all have strong evidence for anxiety, and most people can find significant relief with the right support.

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What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the mind and body's response to perceived threat or uncertainty. In appropriate doses it is adaptive and protective, but when it becomes persistent, disproportionate, or interferes with daily life, it warrants attention.

Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety, health anxiety, and phobias. Each has its own particular features, but all share the experience of excessive fear or worry that causes distress or limits functioning.

Anxiety is highly treatable — most people experience significant improvement with the right approach, and many recover fully.

Signs and symptoms

Anxiety can present very differently from person to person, but common signs include:

Persistent worry or dread that is difficult to control
Restlessness, feeling on edge, or unable to relax
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
Fatigue
Disrupted sleep
Physical symptoms including racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, and digestive upset
Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety

In panic disorder, sudden intense episodes of fear with physical symptoms (panic attacks) are the key feature. In social anxiety, fear centres on social situations and evaluation by others.

How therapy can help

CBT is the most evidenced psychological treatment for anxiety, addressing the thought patterns and behaviours that maintain it. It is recommended by NICE as a first-line treatment for most anxiety disorders.

Mindfulness-based approaches have strong evidence, particularly for generalised anxiety and recurrent worry. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) both reduce anxiety symptoms and build long-term resilience.

Other approaches with good evidence for anxiety include:

Hypnotherapy — highly effective for anxiety at all levels, using suggestion and relaxation to retrain the anxiety response
EMDR — particularly where anxiety is rooted in past difficult experiences or trauma
EFT and TRE — address the physiological dimension of anxiety stored in the body
Acupuncture — used as an adjunct for anxiety management
Yoga therapy and exercise — both have evidence for reducing anxiety symptoms

Seeking help

Anxiety that is significantly affecting daily functioning, relationships, or quality of life warrants professional support. A GP is a useful first contact, particularly if physical symptoms need investigation.

NHS talking therapies (IAPT) provide CBT and other evidence-based treatments. If anxiety is accompanied by depression, alcohol or substance use, or thoughts of self-harm, seek support promptly.

Therapies that may help with Anxiety

Therapy	Evidence	Notes
Arts Therapist	moderate	Useful where creative expression supports emotion processing and regulation.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapist	strong	Core indication; structured skills and exposure-based work.
Counsellor	strong	Widely supported; choose approach suited to needs.
Hypnotherapist	moderate	Common use; outcomes vary; ensure appropriate screening.
Psychotherapist	strong	Core indication; choose approach suited to goals and needs.
Autogenic Training Practitioner	moderate	Autonomic regulation.
Body Psychotherapist	moderate	Somatic regulation and body awareness in therapy.
Brainspotting Therapist	strong	Brainspotting for anxiety.
Cognitive Analytic Therapist	strong	Structured formulation and pattern change.
Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner	strong	Compassionate inquiry for anxiety.
EFT Practitioner	moderate	Some evidence; not a substitute for regulated therapy when needed.
Hakomi Healer	moderate	Mindfulness + somatic awareness for regulation.
Human Givens Practitioner	moderate	Practical coping skills and needs-based framework.
ISTDP Practitioner	moderate	Emotion-focused work on anxiety and defences.
Mental Health Practitioner	strong	Mental health practitioner for anxiety.
Mindfulness Practitioner	moderate	Useful for rumination and worry; combine with other supports as needed.
Yoga Therapist	moderate	Can support coping and nervous-system regulation; not a replacement for therapy.
Acupressurist	limited	Can feel calming for some; not a substitute for mental health care.
Acupuncturist	limited	Some people find it calming; not a substitute for mental health treatment.
Aromatherapist	limited	Can feel calming for some; suitability varies.
Biofeedback Practitioner	moderate	Biofeedback for anxiety.
Therapist	limited	Structured method aimed at response interruption.
Colour Therapist	limited	Complementary; outcomes vary.
Havening Techniques Practitioner	limited	Emotional calming.
Herbal Medicine Practitioner	moderate	Herbal approaches for anxiety support.
Homeopath	limited	Not a substitute for mental health care; consider evidence-based options.
Integral Eye Movement Therapist	limited	Pattern-based emotional work (complementary).
Kinesiologist	limited	Supportive; not a substitute for evidence-based mental health care.
Mantra Meditation	moderate	May reduce rumination and arousal.
Matrix Reimprinting Practitioner	limited	Emotional trigger processing.
Meditation Practitioner	limited	Calming effects.
Psy-Tap Practitioner	limited	Tapping-based emotional regulation.
Psych-K Practitioner	moderate	PsychK for anxiety and limiting beliefs.
Qigong Healing Therapist	moderate	Supports calming and body awareness.
Reality Therapist	moderate	Reality therapy for anxiety.
Reflexologist	limited	Some people find it calming; not a substitute for therapy/medical care.
Regression Therapist	limited	Can be intense; ensure appropriate screening and consent.
Reiki Practitioner	limited	Complementary support; not a substitute for therapy/medical care.
Tension and Trauma Practitioner	moderate	TRE for anxiety.
Though Field Therapy Practitioner	limited	Emotional distress reduction.
Timeline Therapist	moderate	Timeline therapy for anxiety.
Zero Balancing Practitioner	moderate	Mood regulation support.
Bioresonance Therapist	limited	Bioresonance used for anxiety.
Bioswitch Practitioner	limited	Bioswitch for anxiety.
Body Stress Release Practitioner	limited	Body stress release for anxiety via relaxation.
Crystal Therapist	limited	Complementary support; not a substitute for therapy.
Energy Medicine Practitioner	limited	Complementary support; not a substitute for evidence-based therapy.
Flower Essences Therapist	limited	Complementary only.
Germanic Healing Knowledge Practitioner	limited	Germanic healing knowledge for anxiety.
Healer	limited	Healing used for anxiety support.
Homotoxicologist	limited	Used supportively for anxiety.
Indian Head Masseuse	limited	Indian head massage for anxiety via relaxation.
Life Coach	limited	Performance-focused only; not clinical treatment.
NLP Practitioner	limited	Not a substitute for evidence-based therapy in clinical anxiety.
Rapid Transformational Therapist	limited	Complementary support; variable evidence.
Relationship Therapist	moderate	Attachment-related anxiety.
Sex Therapist	moderate	Address anxiety as contributing factor when relevant.
SourcePoint Therapist	limited	Complementary calming approach.
SourcePoint Therapist	limited	Complementary calming approach.
Twin Therapist	moderate	Attachment-related anxiety in close relationships.
All Therapies	limited	All Therapies listing; see individual therapy pages for specific evidence.
Astrological Counsellor	limited	Use alongside appropriate clinical care if needed.
BodyTalk Practitioner	limited	Complementary support only.
Shamanic Healer	limited	Not a replacement for evidence-based therapy.
Practitioner	limited	Complementary support only.
Spiritual Mentor	limited	Not a replacement for evidence-based therapy.
Thermo-Auricular Therapist	limited	Minimal direct relevance for anxiety.
Theta Healer	limited	Not a replacement for evidence-based care.
Vortex Healer	limited	Not a replacement for evidence-based care.

Frequently asked questions

Is anxiety a sign of weakness?

Absolutely not. Anxiety is a normal human experience that can become problematic due to a combination of biology, psychology, and circumstance — not weakness.

What is the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is a normal emotion; an anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive anxiety that causes significant distress or functional impairment.

Can anxiety be cured?

Many people recover fully from anxiety disorders. Others learn to manage anxiety effectively so it no longer limits their life. Either outcome represents successful treatment.

Find a therapist for Anxiety

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Also known as

Anxiety