Anxiety and depression

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

More mental health advice
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If you are in crisis or need urgent mental health support, get help now from the NHS. If someone's life is at risk, for example they've seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose, go to A&E or call 999. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one.

Understand anxiety and how it can impact you

Most people feel anxious or scared sometimes, but if it's affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help. Support is also available if you're finding it hard to cope with anxiety, fear or panic.

Reviewed by: Mital Thakrar, Head of Private Pharmacy Services at Well Pharmacy

Published: October 2022

Next review: October 2025

Mital Thakrar, Clinical Pharmacist.
What is anxiety?

Anxiety can cause many different symptoms. It might affect how you feel physically, mentally and how you behave.

It's not always easy to recognise when anxiety is the reason you're feeling or acting differently.

If you experience sudden, intense anxiety and fear, it might be the symptoms of a panic attack.

Other symptoms may include:
  • A racing heartbeat
  • Feeling faint, dizzy or lightheaded
  • Feeling that you're losing control
  • Sweating, trembling or shaking
  • Shortness of breath or breathing very quickly
  • A tingling in your fingers or lips
  • Feeling sick (nausea).

A panic attack usually lasts 5 to 30 minutes. They can be very frightening, but they're not dangerous and should not harm you.

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Do

  • Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
  • Use calming breathing exercises
  • Exercise: activities such as running, walking, swimming and yoga can help you relax
  • Find out how to get to sleep if you're struggling to sleep
  • Eat a healthy diet with regular meals to keep your energy levels stable
  • Consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
  • Listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides.
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Don't

  • Do not try to do everything at once: set small targets that you can easily achieve
  • Do not focus on the things you cannot change: focus your time and energy into helping yourself feel better
  • Do not avoid situations that make you anxious: try slowly building up time spent in worrying situations to gradually reduce anxiety
  • Try not to tell yourself that you're alone; most people experience anxiety or fear at some point in their life
  • Try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve anxiety as these can all contribute to poor mental health.
Referring yourself for therapy
If you need more support, you can get free psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) without a referral from a GP. Find an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT).
See a GP if
  • You're struggling to cope with anxiety, fear or panic
  • Things you're trying yourself are not helping
  • You would like a referral.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if
  • You need help urgently, but it's not an emergency.
111 can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call: 111.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if
  • You or someone you know needs immediate help
  • You have seriously harmed yourself, for example, by taking a drug overdose.
There are many different causes of anxiety, fear or panic and it's different for everyone. When you're feeling anxious or scared, your body releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. This can be helpful in some situations, but it might also cause physical symptoms such as an increased heart rate and increased sweating. In some people, it might cause a panic attack. Regular anxiety, fear or panic can also be the main symptom of several health conditions. Do not self-diagnose – speak to a GP if you're worried about how you're feeling.
Identifying the cause
If you know what's causing anxiety, fear or panic, it might be easier to find ways to manage it. Some examples of possible causes include:
  • Work: feeling pressure at work, unemployment or retirement
  • Family: relationship difficulties, divorce or caring for someone
  • Financial problems: unexpected bills or borrowing money
  • Health: illness, injury or losing someone (bereavement)
  • Difficult past experiences: bullying, abuse or neglect.
Even significant life events such as buying a house, having a baby or planning a wedding could lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. You might find it hard to explain to people why you feel this way, but talking to someone could help you find a solution.
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