What it is
It can cause both psychological and physical symptoms and affect daily life, work and relationships.
Self-help, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), applied relaxation and medicines can all help.
Common signs
- Feeling restless or worried most of the time
- Trouble concentrating or sleeping
- Irritability
- Dizziness or heart palpitations
- Tense muscles
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions about symptoms and how long they have lasted
- Questionnaires such as GAD-7
- Blood tests to rule out physical causes, sometimes
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Questionnaire scores over time
- Therapy letters
- A list of medicines and their effect
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which treatment would suit me best?
- How long before therapy or medicine starts to help?
- Can I refer myself for talking therapy?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life: call 112 or a crisis line
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.