Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions, with government data suggesting up to 34% of adults in the UK report high levels of anxiety. Despite its prevalence, many anxiety sufferers don’t get the treatment and support they need.
However, there are a broad range of anxiety treatment options available that can significantly improve people’s quality of life. This page details how Priory treat anxiety disorders, and how you can find the right treatment option for you.
Although anxiety is a commonly used term, there are several different types of anxiety. Treatment options can vary depending on which type of anxiety is being experienced.
However, reducing or eliminating anxiety symptoms of all types is possible through therapy, medication, lifestyle changes or a combination of all three. Sufferers should seek guidance from qualified mental health professionals on the most effective treatment options for them.
Therapy involves working with a therapist, counsellor or psychotherapist to identify the root causes of your anxiety and develop coping strategies.
Anxiety treatment differs in intensity according to individual need, stepping up or down as required between inpatient, day care, outpatient and online therapy.
Types of therapy include:
CBT is considered the gold standard for anxiety treatment. It focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety. Through CBT, you’ll learn to reframe your thinking and gradually build your resilience against triggers
A specialised form of CBT, exposure therapy is particularly effective for phobias, panic disorder and social anxiety. This technique involves gradual and controlled exposure to anxiety-inducing situations, helping you to reduce your fear responses over time
This approach teaches you to recognise early signs of anxiety and use relaxation exercises to manage symptoms. Techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing and guided visualisation, which can be practised both in therapy and by yourself
Medication for anxiety can be a really helpful part of an overall treatment plan for those with moderate to severe presentations. Anxiety medication can help regulate brain chemistry and relieve symptoms. Common classes of medications include:
SSRIs, such as sertraline and escitalopram, are the most frequently prescribed medications for anxiety disorders. These work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms
Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, are used primarily to treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, like a rapid heart rate and trembling. They are particularly helpful for performance anxiety or specific short-term situations
Buspirone is an anti-anxiety medication that works differently from SSRIs. It’s often used for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and is less likely to have a sedative effect or cause dependence compared with other medications
Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam and alprazolam, are fast-acting medications that provide short-term relief for severe anxiety or panic attacks. Benzodiazepines do have a higher potential for dependency so they are typically prescribed for short-term use only
Lifestyle changes can significantly improve overall mental health and reduce anxiety symptoms. While these changes alone may not replace therapy or medication for severe cases, they play a significant role as part of a holistic treatment plan. Lifestyle changes include:
While each treatment option can be effective on its own, combining these approaches may result in the best outcome. For instance, therapy may address the underlying causes of anxiety, medication can provide relief from acute symptoms, while lifestyle changes help maintain long-term balance.
Because anxiety manifests differently in everyone, a personalised treatment plan is advisable. This allows for severity of symptoms, any underlying health conditions and/or personal preferences that need to be factored in. You can tweak the treatment plan over time with the help of your doctor or mental health team.
The treatments above can be delivered in one of a few ways. The format of treatment will depend on the severity of your condition and types of treatments you need to recover.
Anxiety disorders vary, and so do their treatment approaches. While some treatments, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), are effective across multiple disorders, others are more condition-specific.
For example, with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), CBT is the primary treatment, often combined with SSRIs or SNRIs. Stress management, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene also play a crucial role in managing symptoms.
Whereas panic disorder treatment focuses on CBT to help individuals understand and manage triggers, alongside exposure therapy to reduce fear of physical sensations. Benzodiazepines may be used to lessen attack severity, while breathing techniques, exercise, and reducing caffeine or alcohol intake can help prevent attacks.
Diagnosis of anxiety disorders usually involves collaboration between GPs, mental health specialists and the person seeking support. Mental health specialists typically use structured assessments and clinical interviews to diagnose anxiety disorders. Interviews involve asking detailed questions about symptoms, duration, severity and how they impact daily life.
For many people, the first step towards diagnosis is to make an appointment with your GP who can then refer you to specialist mental health services, if needed. Alternatively, you can contact a private provider of mental health services directly such as Priory, who can make a formal diagnosis.
Once you’ve been referred, expert psychologists and psychiatrists who are qualified to assess, diagnose and treat anxiety disorders will be able to explore your symptoms, confirm a diagnosis and formulate a tailored treatment plan.
Accessing support for anxiety treatment can feel daunting. Understanding the pathways available to you can make it easier to seek help.
The benefits of private anxiety treatment include shorter waiting times, faster access and tailored sessions with highly trained mental health experts.
Priory are a leading provider of world class mental health treatment and support, we offer:
Private treatment costs vary according to location and the type of treatment required. If you’re worried about your anxiety, or that of someone you love, then get in touch about mental health treatment at Priory.
Your GP can assess symptoms, rule out physical causes and refer you to appropriate mental health services.
In England, you can directly refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies without seeing a GP. These include CBT, counselling and group therapy, often provided free on the NHS.
While these are free services, they are subject to a high level of demand, meaning you may be placed on a long waiting list.
Charities like Mind, Anxiety UK and Samaritans provide helplines, peer support groups and low-cost therapy. Community centres and local mental health organisations may have free or low-cost workshops and resources that you can access.
Therapy may result in improvements in 4 to 12 weeks, while medications like SSRIs typically take 4 to 6 weeks to have a noticeable effect. However, this can vary from person-to-person, depending on the type of anxiety they’re struggling with and how severe their symptoms are.
It’s possible to manage mild anxiety with some simple lifestyle changes, although without professional help mild anxiety may escalate.
Professional help is recommended for persistent or severe symptoms.
You’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history and may complete assessments to identify anxiety and rule out other conditions.
Most aren’t (including SSRIs and buspirone) but benzodiazepines can be addictive if used long-term. For this reason, benzodiazepines are only ever used on a short-term basis.
