Anxiety
This page covers the definitions of anxiety, as well as the support and resources available to you.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal response to situations that we perceive as threatening. In some situations, anxiety can be helpful, such as when we need to perform well or cope with an emergency. For example, you may feel anxious if you have to take an exam or go to hospital for surgery.
However, anxiety can begin to have a negative impact on your life if you frequently experience it. Some people will be diagnosed with an anxiety-related mental health condition such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder, where specific treatment and support is available.
Common ways that anxiety can manifest include, but are not limited to:
- Heart pounding, racing, skipping a beat.
- Headaches; feeling dizzy or light-headed.
- Chest tightness or pain.
- Overeating or loss of appetite.
- Feeling restless, fidgety or shaky.
Anxiety is cosely linked to stress and you may feel like you are constantly on the go and like you have little time to look after yourself. You may avoid social situations or use smoking and drinking to cope with them. Your flatmates and peers may notice that you are being irritable or snappy with them. You may see an increase in compulsive behaviours such as persistent overeating, skin picking, washing, or checking things.
Support at UCL
UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services are here for you. We encourage you to get in touch and access our wide range of support.
The University Clinic
The University Clinic provides clinical interventions and support through a number of NHS-based sub-clinics.
Please note that referrals into the clinic’s services come through multiple routes as explained on each of the clinic’s pages. You can also visit the clinic’s Entry to our services page to find out more.
The Anxiety, self-Image and Mood (AIM) Clinic
The Anxiety self-Image and Mood (AIM) Clinic is a specialist NHS mental health service offering assessment and treatment for young people and young adults with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and related anxiety and mood difficulties. The clinic is based within the UCL University Clinic and is part of Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust.
The team consists of a Consultant Clinical Psychologist (Prof Georgina Krebs), a Consultant Psychiatrist (Prof Argyris Stringaris), and two Clinical Psychologists (Dr Elizabeth Hogg & Dr Chiara Causier).
The AIM clinic is a free and confidential service. The clinic supports UCL students aged up to 24 years who are experiencing anxiety about their appearance, and meet diagnostic criteria for BDD. Some people may also be experiencing additional related mental health problems, such as social anxiety or low mood. It is not necessary for a diagnosis of BDD to have been made prior to referral to our service. The clinic currently accept referrals from iCope (primary care psychological services in Camden and Islington).
External support
There are a number of services and websites that can help you better understand and cope with bereavement.
The UK's mental health charity, Mind provides a wide range of resources and guidance for those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or related conditions.
Visit the Mind website.
Visit the Mind page on anxiety and panic attacks.
Anxiety UK is a charity who support those who experience an anxiety disorder with a range of services and resources, online peer support groups and therapist-led anxiety management courses.
Visit the Anxiety UK website here.
See the NHS website for support on anxiety.
MindSET is a free, interactive online resource to help young people (16-30yrs) manage their feelings of anxiety and distress and when feeling overwhelmed. It’s hosted by young mental health advocates and experienced therapists, sharing concrete skills and tools that can be used immediately.
MindSET provides:
A weekly ‘MindSET Hour’ – a live session hosted by young people working alongside experienced and qualified mental health professionals Access to recorded highlights each week in the MindSET Library
Take a look at our previous sessions on YouTube and gain insights into the kind of skills and approach being offered. Find out more and access MindSET:
The MindSET Workout – Illustrations sharing skills, exercises and ideas to help regulate emotions and manage distress. MindH@ck – a 1 minute ‘how to’ video showing skills in actionUseful resources
Books on anxiety
‘Overcoming Depersonalization and Feelings of Unreality: A Self-help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques’, by Anthony David
Description: “Depersonalization Disorder is when a person experiences a feeling of being detached from life around them and sometimes emotionally numb. It is often a symptom of another disorder such as anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and particularly panic disorder, or of an illness like epilepsy or migraine, but also occurs in its own right and among users of certain drugs.”
Read ‘Overcoming Depersonalization and Feelings of Unreality’.
‘Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think’ (Second Edition), by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky
Description: “Discover simple yet powerful steps you can take to overcome emotional distress - and feel happier, calmer, and more confident. This life-changing book has already helped more than 1,100,000 readers use cognitive-behavioral therapy - one of today’s most effective forms of psychotherapy - to conquer depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, guilt, shame, low self-esteem, eating disorders, substance abuse, and relationship problems.”
‘How to Stop Worrying’ (New Edition), by Frank Tallis
Description: “Worry is a natural warning system. It’s your brain’s way of warning that something is wrong and needs to be dealt with. But sometimes things get out of hand, and worrying starts to spoil your enjoyment of life and even to affect your health. In this easy-to-read manual, Dr Frank Tallis explains how to understand your fears, control your worries, and make it work for you in a positive way.”
‘The Anxiety and Worry Workbook: The Cognitive Behavioural Solution’, by David A. Clark and Aaron T. Beck
Description: “If you’re seeking lasting relief from out-of-control anxiety, this is the book for you. It is grounded in cognitive behavior therapy, the proven treatment approach developed and tested over more than 25 years by pioneering clinician-researcher Aaron T. Beck. Now Dr. Beck and fellow cognitive therapy expert David A. Clark put the tools and techniques of cognitive behavior therapy at your fingertips in this compassionate guide.”
Read ‘The Anxiety and Worry Workbook’.
‘Overcoming Anxiety, Stress and Panic: A Five Areas Approach’ (Third Edition), by Christopher Williams
Description: “ ‘Overcoming Anxiety, Stress and Panic’ uses the proven and trusted five areas model of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help people experiencing a range of symptoms associated with these conditions.”
Read ‘Overcoming Anxiety, Stress and Panic’.
‘Stop Worrying: Get Your Life Back on Track with CBT’, by Ad Kerkhof and Saida Akhnikh
Description: “This practical book contains Cognitive Behavioural Therapy exercises to be completed, which will give you insight into the content, nature and seriousness of your worrying.”
Contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services
UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services phone lines
Learn more about the Student Support and Wellbeing Services Phone Line and the UCL 24/7 Student Support Line.
Visit us
We are here to assist you with questions or concerns you may have about your Wellbeing, Student Record, Fees, Funding or any matters regarding your studies and life at UCL.
Seeing an adviser
Our team provide a safe and non-judgemental space in which you can discuss wellbeing, mental health or disability concerns that may be affecting your ability to study.
