I feel anxious or overwhelmed.

Anxiety, sustained pressure and sleep difficulty can affect daily life in different ways. This pathway is general information, not a diagnosis of anxiety, burnout, insomnia or a physical condition. An assessment can consider the pattern, duration, impact, physical health, safety, previous support and current circumstances rather than assume one cause. Anxiety and worry can involve thoughts, sensations, habits, relationships, work pressures, recent experiences and physical health. Sensations such as a tight chest, breathlessness, restlessness, headaches, fatigue or digestive changes can have many possible causes. New, severe, persistent or changing physical symptoms, marked daytime sleepiness, medication concerns, breathing difficulties or pain need appropriate medical advice and should not be assumed to be anxiety. Sustained pressure can affect concentration, energy, mood, sleep and relationships. Work demands, caring responsibilities, finances, loss, physical health, safety and other mental health difficulties can all be relevant. Sleep difficulty and fatigue can occur alongside stress, worry or low mood, but may also have physical, practical and medication related contributors. A webpage cannot determine which factors apply to an individual. After assessment, CBT based therapy may be one option to discuss. A clinician can explore patterns of worry, threat appraisal, avoidance, reassurance seeking, pressure, perfectionism, boundaries, rest or self criticism where relevant. The focus, pace and suitability of any work are agreed together. Therapy does not replace urgent medical care or resolve every organisational, financial or safety issue. If there is immediate danger, thoughts of self harm, an inability to stay safe, chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, a sudden marked change in mental state or another urgent medical concern, use an appropriate emergency, crisis or healthcare service rather than relying on this page.