Anxiety isn't one thing. A 2022 clinical review drew a useful distinction between two of the most common forms: generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder — and the difference matters.
GAD is the kind of anxiety that never really switches off. It's persistent, pervasive worry about all sorts of things — health, finances, relationships, the future — even when there's no obvious reason to be worried. Panic disorder is different: it involves sudden, intense episodes of fear that come with physical symptoms like racing heart, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Both are common. Both are real.
The research is clear on treatment: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for both conditions. When medication is needed, certain antidepressants can help. What the research specifically warns against is long-term use of benzodiazepines — the "calming" tablets many people are prescribed. They work short-term, but carry real risks of dependence and don't address the underlying problem.
If you've been relying on something just to get through the day, or if worry and panic are shaping your choices, it's worth speaking to a psychologist about what's actually going on — and what can actually help long-term.