A patient guide to getting help for anxiety and mental health concerns — how to access NHS talking therapies, what to expect from your GP, and your treatment options.
Seeking help for anxiety or mental health concerns is a brave and practical step. If you are in crisis right now — having thoughts of harming yourself or feeling unsafe — contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7), text SHOUT to 85258, or go to your nearest A&E.
For non-emergency mental health support, your GP is a good starting point. You can also self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies (previously known as IAPT) in England without seeing your GP first — search for your local service online. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, equivalent services exist with slightly different names.
Before your appointment, it can help to jot down how you have been feeling, when it started, how it affects your daily life, and what you have already tried. If there is a specific situation driving your anxiety, note that. Be honest — your GP hears about mental health every day and will not judge you. If you find it hard to talk, writing it down and handing it over is perfectly fine.
Your GP will likely ask you to complete a brief questionnaire (such as the GAD-7 for anxiety or PHQ-9 for depression) to help gauge severity. These are screening tools, not definitive diagnoses — your conversation matters more than the score.
They will ask about your symptoms, how long they have been going on, any triggers, your sleep, your appetite, your alcohol and caffeine intake, and whether you have had thoughts of self-harm. They will also want to rule out physical causes — thyroid problems, anaemia, and some medications can mimic anxiety symptoms.
Treatment options typically include talking therapy (especially cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT), medication (usually an SSRI like sertraline), or a combination. Your GP should discuss the pros and cons of each with you. If your symptoms are severe or complex, they may refer you to a community mental health team or a psychiatrist. Do not feel pressured into any treatment you are not comfortable with — it is a collaborative decision.
If you are starting medication, know that SSRIs typically take 4-6 weeks to reach full effect, and you may feel slightly worse before you feel better (especially in the first week or two). Side effects like nausea and increased anxiety usually settle within a couple of weeks. Your GP should arrange a follow-up within 2 weeks of starting medication.
If you are referred for talking therapy through NHS Talking Therapies, there may be a wait — often 6-12 weeks depending on your area. In the meantime, your service may offer guided self-help, online CBT programmes (like SilverCloud), or group workshops. These are not lesser options — they have good evidence behind them.
Mind, Anxiety UK, and CALM (for men) are excellent UK charities with helplines, resources, and local groups. If you are working, remember that mental health conditions are covered by the Equality Act, and your employer should make reasonable adjustments. Many workplaces also offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) with free, confidential counselling.
Print this list or save it on your phone. It is easy to forget what you wanted to ask once you are in the room.
NuCover can help you find the right consultant — through the NHS, private insurance, or self-pay. Tell us what you are experiencing and we will point you in the right direction.
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