Support with anxiety and stress

Shout is a free and confidential text support service, there for moments when you are dealing with anxiety and need support to get to a calmer place.

If your life is at imminent risk, please call the emergency services on 999.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is the feeling of being worried, afraid, uneasy or nervous, particularly about things we think are about to happen, or might happen in the future. Anxiety is a natural human response when we think we might be under threat.

In today’s world, threat can come from many different places, such as social anxiety, health scares, to financial worries. It can be different for everyone.

It’s normal to feel anxious at times. From going back to school, to starting a new job, to worrying about exam results, or falling out with a friend, these are all situations that throughout our lives can trigger feelings of anxiousness or worry. We worry about the worst thing that can happen, and convince ourselves that it’s about to happen.

If you feel anxious, you are not alone. In the text conversations our volunteers take at Shout 85258, around 32% of texters mention anxiety as an issue.

And you don’t have to face your problem on your own. Shout Volunteers are trained to listen and support you, without judgement. You can talk through your problems and how you are feeling in a safe, confidential space, for free.

Symptoms of anxiety

The symptoms of anxiety will be different for everyone and you might not have all of the symptoms listed here. Some mental symptoms of anxiety include:

• Not being able to control your thoughts; overthinking
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling irritable
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Feelings of dread, panic or a sense that something bad is going to happen
• Heightened awareness
• Wanting to escape your current situation
• Wanting to avoid a certain situation

Some physical symptoms of anxiety include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Feeling very tired or having a lack of energy
• Sweating
• Heavier, faster breathing
• Hot flushes
• Dizziness and fainting
• Headaches
• An upset stomach
• Loss of appetite

Support with anxiety and stress

Check out our range of resources, grounding exercises and self-help tips for anyone struggling with anxiety and/or stress.

If you are struggling and need support, you can text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 confidential support with a trained volunteer.