Anxiety, Worry & Panic: When Is It Time to Ask for Help?

Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but it can become a health problem when fear or worry is persistent, difficult to control or starts restricting everyday life.

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What can anxiety feel like?

Anxiety can affect thoughts, emotions, behaviour and the body. People may feel on edge, unable to relax, worried about the future, irritable or frightened. Physical symptoms can include a racing heartbeat, sweating, shaking, dizziness, nausea or breathlessness. Panic attacks can cause sudden intense fear and physical symptoms.

When should you ask for help?

Consider professional support when anxiety is difficult to cope with, self-help is not enough, worry is affecting sleep or work, you are avoiding important situations, or symptoms are persistent or worsening. Physical symptoms can have causes unrelated to anxiety, so new or concerning symptoms may also need medical assessment.

What support is available?

A GP can assess symptoms and discuss appropriate options. Adults in England can also self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression in most areas without seeing a GP first. NHS Every Mind Matters provides practical self-help resources.

What can you try yourself?

Regular activity, sleep routines, reducing excess caffeine and alcohol, staying connected with other people and evidence-based self-help CBT techniques may help. Avoid using alcohol, smoking, gambling or drugs as a way to manage anxiety.

What if I need urgent help?

If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need urgent mental health help but it is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option. Samaritans are available on 116 123, day or night.

Related: Anxiety & Sleep and Stress & Burnout.

General information and signposting only. Longeva Wellness is not a crisis service.