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Treatment, medication and contacts

The NHS offers low intensity treatments, talking therapy and medication to treat anxiety disorders. Some people will need both at the same time.

People can overcome anxiety disorders.


What are low intensity treatments?

Unassisted self-help


'Not facilitated' means that you will try to help yourself using information from the NHS. 

  • Written or electronic information based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). 
  • Instructions to work through the material over at least 6 weeks. 
  • Support for a very short time by a therapist. For example, a 5 minute telephone conversation. 

 

Guided Self Help


 You should have: 

  • Written or electronic materials, 
  • Support from a trained professional, leading the self-help program and reviewing progress and outcomes
  • 5 to 7 face-to-face or telephone sessions, on a weekly or fortnightly basis. 


Each session will last 20-30 minutes, but this will depend on the type of anxiety you have. 

 

Psycho-educational groups

Psycho-education involves learning about your symptoms and how to manage them. 


Education should:

  • be CBT-based,
  • encourage you to participate,
  • include presentations by a trained professional,
  • include self-help manuals
  • provide one therapist for about 12 people


There are usually 6 weekly sessions, each lasting 2 hours. However, this will depend on the type of anxiety you have. 

 

Talking therapies


Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)


CBT helps you understand the connections between your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It can help you find ways to overcome anxiety by challenging negative thoughts and beliefs. 

Depending on the type of anxiety you have, you will usually get 12-15 weekly sessions, each lasting one hour. You should get less if you recover faster, and more if you need them. 



Applied Relaxation Applied


Applied relaxation involves focusing on relaxing your muscles a certain way, and at a specific time. For example, learning how to relax your muscles so that you can fall asleep more easily. 

A trained therapist will teach you different techniques, so that you can manage your situation. 

Depending on the type of anxiety you have, you will usually get 12-15 weekly sessions, each lasting one hour. You will get less if you recover faster, and more if you need them. 



Response manifestation and suppression (ERP)


This is effective for a range of anxiety disorders, especially obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Your therapist will encourage you to test your obsessive thoughts and help you manage them in a different way. The tasks will gradually get harder.

 

Remedies


Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 

SSRIs are a type of antidepressant used to treat anxiety disorders. Sertraline is the most commonly suggested SSRI for anxiety, but other SSRIs are available. 

Benzodiazepines 

Doctors should not prescribe benzodiazepines unless your anxiety is extreme or you are in crisis. This is because they are addictive and can become less effective over time. 

Beta -blockers

These can help with the physical signs of anxiety. They can help to reduce a rapid heartbeat, and reduce trembling or urination.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are therapies that are not usually part of mainstream NHS care. Some people feel that they help with the symptoms of anxiety. Mindfulness, yoga and hypnotherapy are examples of these therapies. 

 

 

What if I'm not happy with my treatment?


You can try the following options if: 

  • you are not happy with your care or treatment 
  • you feel that the relationship between you and your professional is not working well. 

 

Putting Things Right (Wales) 

The complaints process in the NHS in Wales is known as Putting Things Right.  The following link has all the information on the steps to take as well as the contact details for the individual health boards across Wales:  Health in Wales | NHS Complaints


Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS - England) 

PALS is part of the NHS. PALS will be available near you. They can try to solve problems or answer questions about the NHS. You can find details of your local PALS at https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Patient%20advice%20and%20liaison%20services%20(PALS)/LocationSearch/363 


Advocacy

Advocacy can help you to be involved in decisions about your care. An advocate is an independent person, who is not part of the NHS. This means that the NHS does not employ it. Advocacy services are free to use. Usually, a charity runs an advocacy service. An advocate is there to support you. It can help get your voice heard when you are trying to solve a problem. They may be able to help you write a letter to the NHS or go to a meeting with you. 



Carers and Family


It is important to be aware of your own mental health and to get help for yourself if you are having difficulty coping. There may be a local carer support group that you can attend. You can ask for a carer's assessment from your local authority if you need extra help to care for a member of your family. 

You can be involved in planning the care and support of your family member. But, only if your family member wants it. This is because of the law of confidentiality. The team should ask your family member if they are happy for them to share information with you.