Conditions we treat
Anxiety Disorders
When worry takes the steering wheel.
Generalised anxiety, panic, social anxiety and phobias that disrupt daily life.
An overview
Understanding anxiety disorders
Anxiety is a normal, even protective, human emotion, but it becomes a disorder when it is disproportionate to the situation, difficult to switch off, and begins to shrink the life around you. People with anxiety disorders often describe a mind that never quite stops, a body braced for something bad, or sudden physical surges (racing heart, dizziness, chest tightness) that can feel terrifying without a clear cause. Anxiety rarely arrives in isolation: it overlaps with insomnia, IBS-type symptoms, low mood, perfectionism and avoidance, and it tends to grow when it is hidden. The good news is that anxiety disorders are among the most treatable conditions in psychiatry. With a careful diagnosis, evidence-based therapy and, where needed, well-chosen medication, most people regain confidence, sleep, and the freedom to do the things they have been avoiding.
Common signs
- •Excessive worry that feels difficult to control
- •Restlessness, irritability or feeling 'on edge'
- •Racing heart, chest tightness, breathlessness or dizziness
- •Avoiding people, places or situations
- •Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- •Sudden panic attacks with fear of losing control
What contributes
- •Temperament and genetic vulnerability
- •Chronic stress, overwork or burnout
- •Trauma or significant life transitions
- •Medical contributors (thyroid, caffeine, certain medications)
- •Sleep deprivation and irregular routines
- •Substance use, including cannabis and stimulants
How we treat
- •Evidence-based medication when needed
- •CBT, exposure work and relaxation skills
- •Lifestyle adjustments, sleep, movement, caffeine, screen-time
- •Skills for handling panic attacks in the moment
- •Breathing and nervous-system regulation techniques
- •Gradual return to avoided situations with structured support
When to seek help
- Worry that feels constant, exhausting or impossible to switch off
- Sudden panic attacks with racing heart, breathlessness or fear
- Avoiding situations, people or places you used to manage easily
- Physical symptoms (chest tightness, dizziness, nausea) with no medical cause
- Sleep disrupted by anxious thoughts most nights
- Relying on alcohol, sleeping pills or constant reassurance to cope
Who can benefit
- Working professionals with high-functioning anxiety
- Students dealing with exam, performance or social anxiety
- New parents and caregivers with worry that has taken over
- Anyone with panic attacks, health anxiety or phobias
- People with anxiety that overlaps with depression or OCD
Not sure if this fits you?
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Panic Attacks
Sudden waves of intense fear with physical symptoms, frightening in the moment, and very treatable with the right care.