If you’re struggling with anxiety, it’s likely that you want to understand why you’re feeling the way you do. Research shows that there are a few key factors that might increase the chances of you developing anxiety at some point in your life. These include:

• Genes have been found to contribute to anxiety; if you have a close relative who struggles with anxiety, this makes it more likely you’ll also experience it yourself
• Experiencing trauma or instability, especially in the early years of life
• Certain environmental factors such as stress, exhaustion, unemployment, financial problems, bereavement and others
• Experiencing other physical or mental health problems can sometimes trigger anxiety or make any existing anxiety even worse

Anxiety is a broad term that is made up of lots of different disorders, and each of these have their own characteristics and symptoms These include:

• Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
  Panic disorder, including panic attacks and anxiety attacks
• Social anxiety disorder 
• Separation anxiety 
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• Adjustment disorder 

Counselling for anxiety can take place either as an outpatient, inpatient, or as part of our day care programme. You will be able to discuss which option is best for you with one of our specialists.

There are lots of different types of counselling for anxiety, including:

• CBT for anxiety
• 1:1 therapy for anxiety 
• Group therapy for anxiety
• Family therapy for anxiety
• Exposure interventions for anxiety
• Anxiety medication

Outpatient treatment for anxiety

During outpatient treatment for anxiety, you will come to one of our hospitals or wellbeing centres for a set number of hourly sessions with a consultant or therapist. These usually happen on a weekly basis.

This type of treatment is useful if you don’t need more intensive treatment for your anxiety and it also means you can attend flexible appointments at a time and a place that’s convenient for you. You can start outpatient therapy straightaway or this can be used as a step-down from more intensive treatment, if needed.

At our wellbeing centres, we are able to offer a tailored outpatient therapy package that’s been specially designed to treat anxiety. This offers:

• A set amount of 1:1 therapy sessions
• Certainty of price for your initial treatment
• Discounted rates
• A personalised treatment plan

Inpatient treatment for anxiety

During inpatient treatment, you’ll stay at one of our hospitals on a residential basis and receive intensive treatment for your anxiety.

This type of treatment is helpful when it comes to treating severe anxiety because it gives you the chance to spend some time away from your day-to-day life in order to remove any negative influences that may be making your anxiety worse. It’s also really structured and provides round-the-clock care, helping you to get well.

The thought of coming into hospital can be daunting at first. However, this type of treatment really can have a positive impact on your quality of life and help you make a full recovery. It means you have the time, care and attention you need to fully address your anxiety and take steps towards a healthy future.

Day care for anxiety

You can also receive anxiety treatment as part of our day care programme. During day care, you will come to one of our Priory sites for a certain number of days each week, where you will take part in anxiety therapy.

However, unlike inpatient treatment, you won’t stay at the hospital overnight but will go home following a day of treatment. Day care can be used as a step-down from inpatient treatment or as step-up from outpatient treatment, if needed.

Day care is useful if you don’t need 24-hour support for your anxiety, but still need some level of structured care.

Our Priory sites across the UK can provide specialist treatment for anxiety. Find your nearest location:

Greater London

• Priory Hospital Roehampton
• Priory Hospital North London
• Priory Hospital Woking
• Priory Hospital Hayes Grove
• Priory Hospital Chelmsford
• Priory Wellbeing Centre Fenchurch Street
• Priory Wellbeing Centre Harley Street

Midlands

• Priory Hospital Barnt Green
• Priory Wellbeing Centre Birmingham

North West

• Priory Hospital Altrincham
• Priory Wellbeing Centre Manchester

Scotland

• Priory Hospital Glasgow
• Priory Wellbeing Centre Edinburgh
• Priory Wellbeing Centre Aberdeen

South Coast

• Priory Hospital Southampton
• Priory Wellbeing Centre Southampton

South East

• Priory Wellbeing Centre Canterbury
• Priory Hospital Ticehurst House

South West

• Priory Hospital Bristol
• Priory Wellbeing Centre Bristol

Central

• Priory Wellbeing Centre Oxford