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Anxiety and panic attacks

Explains anxiety and panic attacks, including possible causes and how you can access treatment and support. Includes tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family.

Useful contacts 

Mind's services

  • Helplines – our Infolines provide information and support by phone, email and text.
  • Local Minds – provide face-to-face services across England and Wales. These might be talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.
  • Side by Side – our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other organisations

Anxiety Care UK

anxietycare.org.uk
Helps people with anxiety disorders.

Anxiety UK

03444 775 774 (helpline) 
07537 416 905 (text)
anxietyuk.org.uk
Advice and support for people living with anxiety.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

bacp.co.uk
Professional body for talking therapy and counselling. Provides information and a list of accredited therapists.

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)

nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service
Information about local NHS therapy and counselling services, which you can often self-refer to (England only).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

nice.org.uk
Produces guidelines on best practice in healthcare.

NHS Service Finder

nhs.uk/service-search
Searchable database of NHS services in England.

No More Panic

nomorepanic.co.uk
Provides information, support and advice for those with panic disorder, anxiety, phobias or OCD, including a forum and chat room.

No Panic

0844 967 4848
nopanic.org.uk
Provides a helpline, step-by-step programmes, and support for people with anxiety disorders.

Samaritans

116 123 (freephone)
[email protected]
Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
samaritans.org

Open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some branches in person. They also have a Welsh Language Line on 0300 123 3011 (7pm–11pm every day).

Triumph Over Phobia (TOP UK)

topuk.org
Provides self-help therapy groups and support for those with OCD, phobias and related anxiety disorders.

This information was published in September 2017. We will revise it in 2020.

References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.

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