Anxiety Assessment: Private Anxiety Diagnosis for Adults
Anxiety is a normal human response, but for many adults it can become persistent, intense, and difficult to manage. Around one in six adults in the UK experiences a common mental health problem such as anxiety in any given week, with anxiety disorders being among the most common conditions worldwide.¹,²
An anxiety assessment is used to determine whether your symptoms are consistent with an anxiety disorder, while also identifying which type of anxiety is most relevant – for example, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or phobias. It also helps rule out or recognise overlapping conditions such as depression, ADHD, autism, or PTSD. A private anxiety diagnosis can bring clarity, support treatment planning, and offer guidance on the next steps. Assessments are available in person in London and online for adults across the UK.
The Benefits of Getting an Anxiety Assessment
There are several benefits to being assessed for anxiety as an adult.
An anxiety assessment may help you…³,⁴
01
- Understand which type of anxiety disorder best fits your experience, so treatment can be matched to it
02
- Make sense of physical symptoms – such as a racing heart, breathlessness, or muscle tension – that may have felt confusing or worrying
03
- Access recognised, NICE-recommended treatments such as CBT, exposure-based therapy, or medication where appropriate
04
- Recognise whether other conditions – such as depression, ADHD, autism, or PTSD – may be contributing to or driving your anxiety
05
- Provide support for workplace adjustments, such as flexible hours, time off for treatment, or reducing exposure to known triggers
06
- Build confidence in identifying your strengths, as well as the areas you’d like support with
07
- Plan a way forward with structured, specialist support rather than continuing to manage alone
What a Private Anxiety Assessment Involves
As a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, I assess and diagnose anxiety disorders in adults, with assessments available in person in London and online across the UK. To help you better understand the process, I’ve outlined the criteria I consider and the process I follow below.
Diagnosis Criteria
Anxiety assessments follow established guidelines, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which are used by psychologists and psychiatrists worldwide.⁵,⁶ NICE guidance also informs decisions about severity and recommended treatment.⁴
Anxiety isn’t one single condition – it’s a group of related disorders. Some of the most common include:
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) – persistent, excessive worry about everyday things
- Social anxiety disorder – intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situationsing the event – for example, through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories
- Panic disorder – recurrent panic attacks accompanied by a fear of further attacks
- Specific phobias – strong, focused fear of a particular thing or situation
- Agoraphobia – fear of situations where escape might feel difficult or help unavailable
- Health anxiety – persistent worry about having or developing a serious illness
To meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder, symptoms typically include several of the following:
- Excessive or out-of-proportion worry, fear, or apprehension
- Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, breathlessness, or muscle tension
- Difficulties sleeping, falling asleep, or staying asleep
- Restlessness, feeling 'on edge', or being easily startled
- Difficulties concentrating or feeling that your mind goes blank
- Avoidance of specific situations, places, or activities
- Intrusive thoughts or images that feel hard to switch off
Symptoms must also have been present for a sustained period (often six months or more, depending on the disorder), significantly affect daily life, and not be better explained by another condition, medication, or physical health issue.
What Happens During an Assessment?
- During the assessment, I will ask a range of questions to understand your experiences and whether they align with an anxiety disorder. This often includes your medical and mental health history, current symptoms, sleep, key relationships, work and home life, and any specific situations you find yourself avoiding. We’ll also explore how long symptoms have been present and the impact they’re having on your day-to-day functioning.
- I use validated clinical tools – such as the GAD-7 and structured clinical interviews – alongside the conversation to help build an accurate picture, and consider whether other conditions (such as depression, ADHD, autism, or PTSD) may better explain or sit alongside what you’re experiencing.⁷
- There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. The assessment is there to make sense of your experiences. If a diagnosis is made, I will talk you through what this means in practical terms, including the type of anxiety disorder, treatment options, and the next steps available to you.
Book a Private Anxiety Assessment in London
If you suspect that you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder, you are welcome to get in touch. I am a HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist and a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS). I have specialist training and extensive experience in anxiety assessment and treatment, and have worked across NHS services, private clinics, and academic settings.
What this means for you:
- Your assessment is conducted to the highest clinical standards, in line with NICE guidance for anxiety
- Every step of the process is informed by research and best practice, ensuring accuracy and reliability
- Results are interpreted in a way that is meaningful and actionable, helping you understand your symptoms and access tailored support
- You can choose between in-person appointments in central London or secure online sessions, depending on what feels most comfortable
Contact me to arrange an assessment or to ask any questions you have about the anxiety assessment process.
FAQs About Anxiety Assessment
It’s natural to have questions about being assessed for anxiety. Below, I’ve answered some of the most common queries I receive about adult anxiety assessments.
Anxiety assessments are carried out by appropriately trained mental health professionals, such as clinical or counselling psychologists, psychiatrists, and GPs.⁸ As a psychologist trained in anxiety assessment and treatment, please reach out to me if you are searching for a private anxiety assessment for adults in London or online.
Everyday anxiety is a normal response to pressure or uncertainty, and tends to ease once the situation passes. An anxiety disorder is more persistent, often disproportionate to the actual circumstances, and significantly affects how you live, work, or relate to others. The two often overlap, which is why a thorough assessment matters – so support can be matched to what you’re actually experiencing.²
Yes. There are several recognised anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, agoraphobia, and health anxiety.⁵ Identifying the type of anxiety matters because it shapes the most effective treatment approach – for example, exposure-based work for phobias, or social-focused CBT for social anxiety.
Yes. Anxiety assessments can be completed online via secure video sessions, which can make accessing assessment more manageable – particularly if leaving the house, travelling, or being in unfamiliar environments feels difficult. In-person appointments in central London are also available.
Some of the key signs of an anxiety disorder include:¹,²
- Persistent or excessive worry that feels difficult to control
- A racing heart, breathlessness, dizziness, or chest tightness
- Difficulties sleeping or relaxing
- Muscle tension, headaches, or stomach upset
- Difficulties concentrating or feeling ‘on edge’
- Avoiding specific places, people, or situations
- Feeling restless, irritable, or easily startled
- Panic attacks or sudden surges of intense fear