Anxiety diagnosis involves assessing your symptoms, their impact they’re having on your daily life and ruling out other potential causes. A healthcare professional, such as a GP, psychologist or psychiatrist, will evaluate your experiences through discussions, questionnaires, and, if needed, further assessments.
This page will guide you through the process of seeking a diagnosis for anxiety, including what to expect during an appointment, where you can get an anxiety diagnosis, and next steps.
If you experience symptoms of anxiety and think you might have an anxiety disorder, there are several ways to get a diagnosis.
Contacting your GP can be a useful first step if you think you’re struggling with anxiety. They’ll talk to you about your feelings and thoughts, and any symptoms you might be experiencing. It’s likely that they’ll also conduct a physical examination to rule out any other conditions that might be causing your symptoms.
Based on this information, they’ll be able to diagnose anxiety if this is what’s causing your symptoms. They will also be able to offer different treatment options, such as medication or a referral to local NHS talking therapies.
If your anxiety symptoms are severe, complex or resistant to initial treatment, they might refer you to a mental health specialist.
You can also contact a private mental health provider, such as Priory, directly. A highly-trained and experienced specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, will conduct a detailed assessment of your condition and recommend appropriate treatment.
They’ll ask about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and any past treatments. Psychological screening tools and questionnaires may be used to assess the severity of your anxiety, and they’ll explore whether it’s linked to any other conditions, such as depression.
Based on this in-depth assessment, the specialist will recommend treatment options, which usually include therapy, medication and lifestyle changes.
| Assessment type | Benefits | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
GP Assessments | Free access to GP and NHS mental health services GP can diagnose and provide initial treatment | Longer waiting times for specialist services due to high demand Limited appointment times NHS support may not be holistic |
| Private Assessments | Fast access to assessment and onward specialist care Longer, more detailed assessments Tailored treatment plans Range of therapies available | Self-funded or funded via private medical insurance (depending on your cover)e |
Knowing what to expect from an anxiety assessment and diagnosis can help you to prepare and feel more confident.
It’s important to be honest and open about your thoughts, feelings and symptoms, as this will help the healthcare provider to recommend the most appropriate treatment for your individual circumstances.
Questions the health provider might ask include:
In some cases, a physical examination may be conducted to rule out any other causes, such as thyroid problems or heart conditions, as these can cause anxiety-like symptoms.
The GP or specialist may use a standardised questionnaire, such as the generalised anxiety disorder questionnaire (GAD-7) to assess the severity of your anxiety.
Example questions include: ‘Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you felt nervous, anxious or on edge?’
Other tools a mental health specialist, such as psychiatrist or psychologist, might use to diagnose anxiety include:
You can take our online anxiety test to check whether you might have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. While it doesn’t provide a diagnosis, it can help guide your next steps toward support and treatment.
Preparing for your anxiety assessment can help you to provide clear information about your experiences and symptoms.
Think about what you might like to ask the GP or mental health specialist, such as:
Bringing a friend or family member to the appointment can make you feel more comfortable. They can offer emotional support and help you to remember important details during the appointment.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed through your GP or a Priory specialist, the next stage involves exploring the best options for you and planning your treatment.
After your diagnosis, you’ll typically have follow-up appointments to:
Your GP may schedule NHS follow-ups, while Priory specialists offer personalised treatment plans with regular reviews to ensure ongoing support.
If you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the next steps are for you to enter treatment.
Due to high demand, NHS services can be limited. Priory offers high-quality, specialist treatment for anxiety with a more flexible and tailored approach. Patients benefit from personalised care plans, a range of therapy options and a private, supportive environment at sites across the UK.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available, which can vary depending on your needs and preferences. These may be on an inpatient, day care or outpatient basis, and includes things like talking therapy and medication for anxiety.
Find out more about how we treat anxiety.
Anxiety is characterised by excessive worry, nervousness and restlessness, often without a specific reason. You may experience a sense of dread, racing thoughts, trouble concentrating, a rapid heartbeat, dizziness and muscle tension. Avoiding certain situations due to fear is also common.
The diagnostic process for anxiety varies. A GP appointment typically lasts 10 to 30 minutes. If the doctor decides through the assessment that a specialist referral is needed, you may have to wait weeks or months for an appointment with the NHS. A private assessment is usually faster, with in-depth assessments completed in one or two sessions.
