Anxiety treatment: options, therapies and support for managing anxiety disorders

If anxiety is affecting your daily life, recognising the signs and seeking professional help is the first step towards recovery.

Start your journey to recovery with YMM and learn more about our evidence-based mental health treatments, delivered by expert clinicians.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions, with government data suggesting up to 34% of adults in the UK report high levels of anxiety. Despite its prevalence, many anxiety sufferers don’t get the treatment and support they need.

However, there are a broad range of anxiety treatment options available that can significantly improve people’s quality of life. This page details how YMM treat anxiety disorders, and how you can find the right treatment option for you.

Effective treatment options for anxiety

Although anxiety is a commonly used term, there are several different types of anxiety. Treatment options can vary depending on which type of anxiety is being experienced.

However, reducing or eliminating anxiety symptoms of all types is possible through therapy, medication, lifestyle changes or a combination of all three. Sufferers should seek guidance from qualified mental health professionals on the most effective treatment options for them. 

Therapy for anxiety

Therapy involves working with a therapist, counsellor or psychotherapist to identify the root causes of your anxiety and develop coping strategies.

Anxiety treatment differs in intensity according to individual need, stepping up or down as required between inpatient, day care, outpatient and online therapy.

Types of therapy include: ot Just Coping

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT is considered the gold standard for anxiety treatment. It focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety. Through CBT, you’ll learn to reframe your thinking and gradually build your resilience against triggers

Exposure therapy

A specialised form of CBT, exposure therapy is particularly effective for phobias, panic disorder and social anxiety. This technique involves gradual and controlled exposure to anxiety-inducing situations, helping you to reduce your fear responses over time

Applied relaxation techniques

This approach teaches you to recognise early signs of anxiety and use relaxation exercises to manage symptoms. Techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing and guided visualisation, which can be practised both in therapy and by yourself

Tailored treatment pathways for specific anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders vary, and so do their treatment approaches. While some treatments, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), are effective across multiple disorders, others are more condition-specific.

For example, with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), CBT is the primary treatment, often combined with SSRIs or SNRIs. Stress management, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene also play a crucial role in managing symptoms.

Whereas panic disorder treatment focuses on CBT to help individuals understand and manage triggers, alongside exposure therapy to reduce fear of physical sensations. Benzodiazepines may be used to lessen attack severity, while breathing techniques, exercise, and reducing caffeine or alcohol intake can help prevent attacks.

Autism support at YMM

Get help for autism from our world class experts at YMM.

  • Private autism assessments available now
  • Online and face-to-face support
  • Highly qualified specialists trained in autism

Private autism assessments and diagnosis

Get fast, expert-led autism assessments with no referral delays.

  • Diagnosis in 4–6 weeks
  • Autism assessment available from £2,150

YMM offers private autism assessments for children and adults who are showing signs of autism, with waiting times that are significantly shorter than the national average.

Our autism assessments are conducted by either a qualified psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist, all of whom are experts, and specifically trained in the field of autism diagnosis and support.

Following the autism assessment, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive outcome report.

What happens in an autism assessment?

Our autism assessment process is the same for both adults and children. It’s made up of a number of elements, including:

  • A screening process, using the autism spectrum quotient test (AQ-10), to help us determine whether our full autism assessment is an appropriate step for you. This consists of us asking you a brief set of questions to determine whether you’re showing some of the signs of autism. This can be done at the initial enquiry stage. Alternatively, if you’re receiving treatment for other mental health concerns, this step may be conducted by your mental health treatment team, as part of your treatment pathway
  • A specific autism diagnostic tool, such as the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO), the developmental, dimensional and diagnostic interview (3Di) or the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R). This step can take place without you present. It’s a chance for our specialists to speak to key people in your life, which may include parents/guardians (if nominated), in order to explore your developmental history. For children, this stage will often need input from schools too. We’ll ask you for the contact details for these people, and contact them directly
  • An Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), observing and assessing for any autism traits. This is conducted and carried out by two specialists, and focuses on your behaviour and/or reactions during the session
  • A multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting, to agree on and formalise your diagnosis
  • A detailed outcome report
  • A feedback meeting to talk about the outcomes of your assessment and provide any recommendations for further support

What is involved with your private child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)?

Our private CAMHS and young people’s services provide compassionate, tailored support for young people under the age of 18. We can support young people with a wide range of mental health conditions and eating disorders, and offer outpatient, day care and inpatient programmes, designed to meet their needs.

In addition, we offer a variety of private CAMHS assessments, including assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, to ensure each young person receives the personalised care they need.