Anxiety
Checked against current published health guidance — last reviewed 2026-09-22. See how we check.
Anxiety involves persistent worry, restlessness, and physical symptoms like a racing heart or tense muscles, and everyone experiences some anxiety from time to time. When it's frequent, hard to control, or affecting daily life, support from a professional can make a real difference.
Overview
Anxiety is a normal response to stress, but for some people it becomes persistent, disproportionate, or hard to control, affecting sleep, concentration, relationships, or work. It can show up as constant worry, physical tension, panic attacks, or avoidance of certain situations.
Anxiety is common and very treatable — many people see significant improvement with the right combination of support, whether that's talking therapy, lifestyle changes, or, for some, medication.
What may help
- Regular physical activity and consistent sleep can meaningfully reduce anxiety symptoms
- Slow breathing techniques can help during moments of acute anxiety or panic
- Limit caffeine and alcohol, which can both worsen anxiety symptoms
- Talking to someone you trust, or writing down worries, can help break the cycle of rumination
When to see a pharmacist or GP
- Worry or anxiety that's present most days and hard to control
- Anxiety that's affecting sleep, work, relationships, or daily activities
- Panic attacks that are frequent or you're organising your life around avoiding them
- You're using alcohol or other substances to cope with anxiety
When it could be an emergency
- Thoughts of harming yourself, or feeling like you can't keep yourself safe
- A panic attack with chest pain, especially with a history of heart problems — this should be assessed to rule out other causes
- Anxiety accompanied by significant weight loss, or a sense of complete hopelessness
If any of these apply, don't wait — check Red Flags for your country's emergency number, or go straight to your nearest emergency department.
Want more detail, tailored to your own situation?
Look up "Anxiety" in the appCommon questions
Is anxiety a mental illness or just stress?
Everyday stress and clinical anxiety exist on a spectrum. When worry becomes persistent, disproportionate to the situation, and starts affecting daily functioning, it's worth discussing with a professional, whatever label is or isn't attached to it.
What's a panic attack?
A sudden episode of intense fear with physical symptoms like a racing heart, breathlessness, chest tightness, or dizziness, usually peaking within minutes — frightening, but not physically dangerous on its own.
Where can I get support for anxiety?
A GP is a good starting point and can discuss talking therapies, self-referral options where available, and other support suited to you.
Read more on the NHS website →
General information only, last checked 2026-09-22 — not medical advice and not a diagnosis. This page doesn't cover every cause or every person's situation; for anything specific to you or someone in your care, speak to a pharmacist, GP, or other qualified professional. Content is checked against current published guidance from official public health sources — see how we check. Be Health Wise is part of the Be Wise family of apps.