Anxiety affects around 1 in 6 UK adults each year and is the most common reason people seek private mental health care. NHS talking therapy waits run into months or years; private support starts within a week. Our approach combines psychiatric assessment, psychological therapy and where appropriate medication — tailored to what you actually need.
Educational information — not a substitute for clinical assessment
This page describes anxiety and high-functioning stress in general terms to help you decide whether assessment may be helpful. It is not a diagnostic tool. If you recognise yourself in what follows, please book a consultation.
Anxiety is a normal human response to stress and threat. It becomes a clinical concern when it’s persistent, out of proportion to the situation, or interfering with daily life. Around 1 in 6 UK adults will experience clinically significant anxiety in any given year.
Important distinctions:
The first two don’t need treatment. The third does — and responds well to it.
UK adults experience clinically significant anxiety in any year. NHS talking therapy waits are commonly 4–12 months. Private therapy can begin within days.
Persistent excessive worry across multiple areas of life (work, health, family, finances) for at least 6 months. Often described as "always worried about something" or constant low-level dread. Physical symptoms: muscle tension, sleep difficulty, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating.
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks — intense surges of fear with physical symptoms (racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, sweating, light-headedness, sense of unreality) typically peaking within 10 minutes. Many people also develop fear of having further attacks, leading to avoidance of places where attacks have happened.
Intense fear of social situations, particularly those involving evaluation or judgement. Can range from public speaking specifically to avoidance of most social interactions. Often co-exists with depression and substance use.
Intense fear of specific objects or situations (heights, flying, needles, animals, enclosed spaces). The fear is recognised as excessive but the avoidance is automatic and disabling.
Intrusive unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts to relieve the anxiety (compulsions). NICE recommends specific evidence-based treatment.
Following exposure to traumatic events — nightmares, flashbacks, hyperarousal, emotional numbing, avoidance of trauma reminders.
Persistent worry about having or developing serious illness, despite normal investigations. Strongly responsive to specific CBT.
Anxiety symptoms are physical, cognitive, and behavioural:
Many of our patients are high-functioning — they hold senior positions, succeed at work, raise families, and look outwardly fine. Inside, they describe constant tension, exhaustion, sleep difficulties, irritability, and a sense that they’re "barely holding it together." High-functioning anxiety is real, common, and not less serious because the person is coping outwardly.
Common patterns we see:
This pattern responds well to a combination of psychological therapy and, where appropriate, medication review.
Anxiety usually has multiple contributors:
Particularly worth flagging: undiagnosed adult ADHD often presents as anxiety. Many adults treated for anxiety alone for years turn out to also have ADHD, and treating both transforms outcomes.
A confidential 45–60 minute conversation about your symptoms, history, current life circumstances, sleep, substance use, mood, and any physical health issues. We use validated screening tools (GAD-7, PHQ-9, others as relevant) to track severity and progress.
Because thyroid disease, low ferritin, vitamin deficiencies, and perimenopause all commonly present with anxiety symptoms, we screen for these in any patient where this might apply. Blood tests are quoted before being ordered.
Specific type of anxiety disorder if present, plus screening for co-existing depression, ADHD, OCD, autism spectrum traits, and trauma-related conditions. Many patients have a mixed picture; getting it right shapes treatment.
Tailored to you — therapy alone, medication alone, both, or self-help with review. We discuss options properly so you’re making an informed choice.
The most evidence-based treatments for anxiety are talking therapies:
Therapy is offered through our psychology team. Sessions are usually 50–60 minutes, weekly, for an agreed number of sessions (typically 6–20 depending on need).
Several classes of medication are used for anxiety, primarily long-term anxiolytics (typically a class also used for depression) and shorter-term medications for panic. The choice of medication, route, and duration is discussed in consultation. UK law prevents naming specific prescription medications on this website.
For moderate to severe anxiety, NICE recommends combining therapy and medication. Many patients have the best outcomes with both, particularly in the early phase.
If anxiety is one part of a wider picture — ADHD, perimenopause, untreated sleep apnoea, alcohol dependence — treating the underlying condition often improves anxiety substantially.
Don’t underestimate these:
Consider booking if:
No. Many people are successfully treated with therapy alone. Medication is one option, not a requirement. We discuss preferences explicitly.
Typically 6–20 sessions, depending on the type of anxiety and complexity. Most patients notice improvement within 4–6 sessions.
Yes. Medical confidentiality applies. With your consent we write to your NHS GP; without your consent we don’t.
Most UK PMI policies cover psychiatric assessment and a number of therapy sessions. Coverage varies; we can provide procedure codes for your insurer.
Anxiety disorder rarely affects driving (some severe forms or certain medications do). Employers are generally not informed of medical care unless you choose to disclose, and reasonable adjustments at work are a legal right under the Equality Act 2010.
Yes. Burnout often combines anxiety, depression, and physical exhaustion. We assess the whole picture and discuss options including time off work, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
That’s very common. We screen routinely for depression, ADHD, autism spectrum, alcohol/substance issues, eating disorders, and physical conditions that mimic anxiety. Getting the full picture matters.
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call 999 or go to A&E if you cannot keep yourself safe. Otherwise we can usually see you the same week or sooner; tell us at booking that this is urgent. The Samaritans line (116 123) is free and available 24/7.
Care at MHW Clinic is delivered by a small clinical team, with Dr Haydar Bolat as Clinical Director. The specific clinicians involved in your care depend on the plan agreed with you at consultation.
UK-registered GP and Clinical Director at MHW. Conducts initial mental health assessments and, where appropriate, prescribes and reviews anxiolytic medication. Refers to MHW psychology and psychiatry colleagues where specialist input is needed.
View profileLanguages spoken across the team: English, Turkish, Bulgarian, Bengali, Hindi, Albanian, Azerbaijani, German, Romanian. We can also arrange professional telephone interpreters in most other languages at no extra cost. More on languages and interpreters →
This page was reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director at MHW Clinic. Content is based on NICE Clinical Guideline CG113 (Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults), NICE CG31 (OCD), and current UK clinical practice and current UK clinical practice. It is updated when guidance changes. Educational information only — not a substitute for clinical assessment.
Anxiety responds best to early treatment. Book a confidential consultation this week. We’ll work out what helps you most.