Dr. Eoin Gallagher
OnlineIMC verified
Anxiety
Anxiety can feel like worry, fear, panic, fast heartbeat, chest tightness, trembling or trouble sleeping. It is common and treatable, but symptoms that feel physical or unsafe should be discussed with a clinician.
When to get emergency care
Get emergency help immediately if you have any of these:
- Thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming someone else.
- Feeling unsafe, out of control, confused, or unable to care for yourself.
- Chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness, or symptoms that could be heart or lung related.
- Panic or agitation after alcohol, drugs, stimulants or medication changes.
- Anxiety with not sleeping for days, hearing voices, or believing things others say are not real.
Get emergency help or call 112
Common causes
- Stress from work, studies, finances, family pressure or illness.
- Past trauma, grief or ongoing safety concerns.
- Panic disorder, depression or other mental health conditions.
- Thyroid, heart rhythm, caffeine or substance-related problems.
- Side effects or withdrawal from some medicines or substances.
What to expect at your consultation
- A clinician may ask about triggers, sleep, mood, panic symptoms, safety and substance use.
- They may check physical causes such as thyroid, anaemia or heart rhythm if symptoms suggest them.
- Support may include counselling, therapy referral, mental health review or medical follow-up.
Looking after yourself
- Move to a safe, quiet place and slow your breathing if you can.
- Talk to a trusted family member, friend or clinician rather than staying alone with severe worry.
- Reduce caffeine and avoid alcohol or drugs, which can worsen anxiety.
Frequently asked questions
- Can anxiety cause chest tightness?
- Yes, but chest tightness can also come from heart or lung problems. New, severe or red-flag symptoms need urgent care.
- Is anxiety a real health problem?
- Yes. Anxiety can affect the body, sleep, work and relationships, and support is available.
- Should I hide anxiety from family or doctors?
- No. Speaking to a trusted person or clinician can help you get safe support.
- When is anxiety urgent?
- Urgent help is needed for self-harm thoughts, feeling unsafe, confusion, severe chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness.
Not sure how urgent this is?
Answer a few questions and we will tell you how soon to be seen.
Check my symptomsWhich doctor should I see?
- Psychologist Helpful for counselling, coping skills and therapy for anxiety.
- Psychiatrist Important when anxiety is severe, disabling, linked with self-harm thoughts or needs specialist mental health care.
- General Physician Can check physical causes and guide first steps.
Not sure? See a general physician
Related doctors
Verified profiles for anxiety start with psychiatrist.
Not sure which doctor fits? See a general physician