What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural human response to stress or perceived threat. Most of us experience it at times, particularly when we are facing uncertainty or worrying about what might happen in the future.
It can show up in different ways, through racing thoughts, physical tension, difficulty sleeping, or a constant sense of unease. While anxiety is designed to protect us, it can become overwhelming when it feels out of proportion or difficult to control.
You might notice anxiety linked to work, relationships, health, social situations, or everyday responsibilities. When anxiety begins to interfere with daily life, professional support can help you understand what is driving it and learn practical ways to manage it.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are many different types of anxiety disorder. Understanding which type you may be experiencing can help us tailor the right approach for you.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD often involves persistent, ongoing worry that can feel difficult to control. You may find yourself feeling tense, restless or on edge much of the time, even when there is no single clear cause. Symptoms can range from mild to more overwhelming, and may fluctuate over time.
Phobias
A phobia is an extreme or irrational fear of something specific, such as spiders, heights, flying or crowded places, even when there is no real danger to you.
Panic Disorder
Panic attacks may sometimes occur for no apparent reason. You may feel as if your mind has gone totally out of control, and because the onset seems unpredictable, you may live in fear of having another attack.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours are typical. You may have obsessive thoughts about contamination or feel compelled to do things in a particular order or repeat actions a certain number of times.
Social Anxiety
The fear of interaction with other people that brings on self-consciousness, feelings of being negatively judged, and leads to avoidance.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
If you have experienced or witnessed a very stressful or threatening event, you may develop PTSD, experiencing flashbacks and dreams that trigger strong anxiety.
Separation Anxiety
An excessive and debilitating fear of being away from home or away from the people you care about.
Health Anxiety
An irrational and obsessional preoccupation with the idea that you are currently or will be experiencing an illness.
Situational Anxiety
This includes performance anxieties such as exam nerves, fear of public speaking, stage fright, or fear of life-changing events such as getting married or changing jobs.
How CBT and Counselling Can Help
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, especially when it begins to affect your confidence, relationships or daily life. Therapy provides a structured and supportive space to understand what may be maintaining your anxiety and begin responding differently.
Often, it is not just a situation itself that causes distress, but the way we interpret it and the beliefs we hold about it. CBT helps you recognise patterns in your thinking and behaviour that may be contributing to anxiety, and supports you in developing practical, evidence-based strategies to respond in new and more helpful ways.
Counselling also plays an important role in addressing anxiety. It offers space to explore experiences, pressures or underlying concerns that may be influencing how you feel. Many therapists use an integrative approach, combining structured CBT techniques with supportive talking therapy tailored to your individual needs.
Over time, this balanced approach can help reduce anxiety, strengthen coping skills and support lasting change.
Further Reading & Support
There are some excellent resources available if you'd like to learn more about anxiety and self-help strategies.
Other Problems We Help With
Explore other common challenges our therapists can help you with.
Your First Step Towards
Feeling Better
If you'd like professional support with anxiety, our experienced therapists are here to help. Book your session online in minutes.
Join hundreds of people who have improved their wellbeing with our support