Manchester Counselling Editoral Team
INTRODUCTION
AN ECONOMY OF UNCERTAINTY — THE FINANCIAL PRESSURES FUELING ANXIETY
The UK is facing a prolonged period of economic instability. Following Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing cost-of-living pressures, many adults are experiencing financial insecurity at levels not seen since the 2008 crash. The Office for National Statistics reports that over 8 in 10 adults in Great Britain continue to feel worried about rising costs (ONS, 2024).
Uncertainty breeds anxiety. With rent, mortgage, and energy bills rising disproportionately to wages, many people are living with a background hum of fear that their basic needs may not be met. For younger adults, the prospect of homeownership or long-term financial stability feels out of reach, creating a sense of hopelessness and heightened stress.
Financial anxiety doesn’t just affect budgets — it affects sleep, concentration, relationships, and long-term health. This stress can manifest physically in the form of chronic fatigue, digestive issues, muscle tension, and insomnia — all hallmarks of generalised anxiety disorder.
AN ALWAYS-ON WORLD — DIGITAL OVERLOAD AND MODERN ANXIETY
Our digital habits are also playing a significant role in the anxiety epidemic. The average adult in the UK now spends over 4 hours per day on their smartphone, with much of this time spent on apps designed to keep us hooked (Ofcom, 2024).
This constant connection has a psychological cost. Notifications, news updates, social comparisons, and algorithm-driven content feed anxiety by keeping our brains in a state of alertness. The need to respond quickly — whether to work emails or WhatsApp messages — can create a sense of permanent urgency.
Moreover, doomscrolling and exposure to distressing world events (from climate disasters to war) have been shown to contribute to feelings of helplessness and emotional exhaustion. Social media, while useful for connection, also drives a constant comparison culture that fuels insecurity and anxiety.
For many, switching off feels impossible. And when rest becomes unreachable, anxiety can thrive unchecked.
HEALTH ANXIETY AND POST-PANDEMIC MENTAL FATIGUE
Even as the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic fades, the psychological effects are still lingering. Health anxiety — a specific form of anxiety related to fear of illness or death — saw a steep rise during the pandemic and remains high today.
This is particularly evident among people who have experienced long COVID, lost loved ones, or developed compulsive health-checking behaviours during the pandemic. The NHS has reported a steady increase in referrals for health-related anxiety since 2022, especially among those who previously had no diagnosed mental health condition (NHS Digital, 2024).
Additionally, many people report a lingering sense of mental fatigue. This isn’t just tiredness — it’s a sustained difficulty in concentrating, remembering things, or regulating emotions. For those already managing stress or depression, this post-pandemic cognitive load has tipped many into anxious functioning.
THE PRESSURE TO COPE — STIGMA, SELF-RELIANCE, AND SILENT SUFFERING
Despite greater awareness around mental health, a cultural pressure to cope alone persists. Particularly in British society, where emotional openness is often discouraged, people are more likely to internalise their anxiety than seek support.
In working environments, there’s often a mismatch between performance expectations and emotional capacity. Remote working has blurred boundaries, leaving employees feeling they must be constantly available. Meanwhile, in personal life, the pressure to appear 'okay' on social media or maintain family roles can leave little room to be vulnerable.
This has created a perfect storm: individuals are more anxious than ever, yet feel less able to ask for help. Instead, they present a polished exterior while silently experiencing panic attacks, ruminative thoughts, and physical symptoms of stress. As a result, anxiety often goes undiagnosed until it severely disrupts day-to-day life.
At Manchester Counselling, we understand the growing mental health pressures people are facing today. Anxiety is complex — it can be caused by many interwoven factors, and no two experiences are the same. That’s why our therapist-matching service is designed to connect you with someone who not only understands your struggles but offers the tools and space to work through them.
Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the flexibility of online therapy, we’ll help you find a qualified, compassionate professional to support your mental health journey. Therapy isn’t just for moments of crisis — it’s a proactive step toward reclaiming calm, clarity, and confidence.
Explore available therapists or book your first session today.
Office for National Statistics. (2024). Impact of cost of living on adults across Great Britain. https://www.ons.gov.uk
Ofcom. (2024). Online Nation 2024 report. https://www.ofcom.org.uk
NHS Digital. (2024). Monthly mental health statistics. https://digital.nhs.uk
Mind. (2023). Anxiety and mental health facts. https://www.mind.org.uk
Anxiety UK. (2023). Health anxiety post-pandemic. https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk
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