Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
The most common anxiety disorder – persistent worry about a wide range of everyday concerns
- Excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple areas of life (health, work, finances, relationships)
- Difficulty relaxing or switching off, even when there is no specific threat
- Restlessness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating
- Physical symptoms: muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, disturbed sleep
Symptoms present on more days than not for at least six months
Panic Disorder
Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks accompanied by persistent worry about further attacks
- Sudden, intense surges of fear or discomfort reaching a peak within minutes
- Physical symptoms during attacks: racing heart, chest tightness, breathlessness, dizziness, tingling
- Fear of “going mad,” losing control, or dying during an attack
- Persistent worry between attacks about when the next one will occur
Avoidance of places or situations associated with previous attacks
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
Intense fear of social situations and being negatively judged or humiliated by others
- Extreme self-consciousness in everyday social interactions
- Fear of speaking in public, meeting new people, or being the centre of attention
- Physical symptoms in social situations: blushing, sweating, shaking
- Avoidance of social events, presentations, or situations involving scrutiny
Symptoms present for six months or more, significantly impacting work or relationships
Specific Phobias
Intense, irrational fear of a specific object, animal, or situation
- Immediate, intense fear response triggered by the specific phobic stimulus
- Recognition that the fear is excessive or disproportionate, but inability to control it
- Avoidance of the phobic stimulus — which may significantly restrict daily life
- Common specific phobias: heights, needles, flying, spiders, vomiting (emetophobia), medical procedures
Symptoms cause significant distress or interfere with normal functioning
Health Anxiety (Illness Anxiety Disorder)
Preoccupation with having or developing a serious illness, despite minimal or no medical symptoms
- Persistent, excessive worry about having a serious or life-threatening illness
- Frequent body checking, reassurance-seeking, or avoidance of medical settings
- Physical symptoms often present, but disproportionate focus on their significance
- Reassurance from doctors provides only temporary relief before anxiety returns
Can be significantly exacerbated by health information online or in the media
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Intrusive, unwanted obsessive thoughts relieved temporarily by compulsive behaviours
- Recurring, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that cause significant distress
- Compulsive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce distress or prevent feared outcomes
- Common obsessions: contamination, harm, symmetry, morality or religious themes
- Common compulsions: checking, cleaning, counting, reassurance-seeking, mental reviewing
Recognised as separate from anxiety disorders in DSM-5 but closely related and often co-occurring
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
An anxiety-related condition arising after exposure to traumatic events
- Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories of the traumatic event
- Emotional numbing, feeling detached from others, or loss of interest in activities
- Hypervigilance, being easily startled, difficulty sleeping
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma – people, places, thoughts, or feelings
Recognised as separate from anxiety disorders in DSM-5 but often presenting alongside them
Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders in the UK
Anxiety disorders are among the most treatable mental health conditions. NICE guidelines provide a clear framework for stepped care — beginning with low-intensity interventions for mild presentations and escalating to specialist psychological therapy or medication for more complex or severe cases.
Psychological therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most extensively evidenced psychological treatment for anxiety disorders and is recommended by NICE as a first-line intervention for most anxiety types. CBT addresses the thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviours that maintain anxiety — particularly the cycle of anxious thoughts, avoidance, and physiological arousal.
Key therapeutic approaches include:
- CBT – evidence-based, structured, and time-limited; delivered individually or in group format
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) – the gold-standard treatment for OCD and phobias, involving gradual, supported exposure to feared stimuli
- EMDR – recommended by NICE for PTSD and increasingly used for trauma-related anxiety
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – focuses on accepting anxious thoughts rather than fighting them, and committing to valued actions despite anxiety
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) – particularly useful where anxiety co-occurs with depression or in preventing relapse
Accessing private psychological therapy or psychiatric assessment means shorter waiting times, greater choice of clinician, and a broader range of therapeutic approaches. At PLE Health, our team includes clinical psychologists, therapists trained in anxiety-specific approaches, and psychiatrists who can advise on medication when appropriate. An initial assessment ensures you are matched to the right professional and approach from the outset.