Anxiety — Fast Diagnosis & Same Day Support

Anxiety affects both the mind and the body simultaneously. The symptoms our GPs most commonly see include:

Psychological Symptoms:

• Persistent worry or fear — a constant sense that something bad is about to happen
• Racing or intrusive thoughts — a mind that will not switch off, even at night
• Difficulty concentrating — an inability to focus on tasks at work, school, or home
• Irritability — feeling on edge, snappy, or easily overwhelmed by small problems
• A sense of dread or impending doom — even without a specific identifiable cause
• Avoidance behaviour — deliberately avoiding situations, places, or people that trigger anxiety

Physical Symptoms:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat — palpitations that can feel alarming and frightening
• Shortness of breath — a feeling of tightness in the chest or inability to take a full breath
• Sweating and trembling — particularly in social situations or during panic attacks
• Nausea and stomach problems — including diarrhoea, cramps, and loss of appetite
• Dizziness and lightheadedness — a feeling of being detached from your surroundings
• Muscle tension and headaches — chronic tightness across the shoulders, neck, and jaw
• Insomnia — difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to persistent worrying thoughts

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the most common form of anxiety in the UK, affecting around 5% of the population. GAD is characterised by persistent, excessive worry about a wide range of everyday situations — work, health, finances, relationships — that is difficult to control and significantly impacts daily functioning.

Panic Disorder is characterised by sudden, unexpected episodes of intense fear — known as panic attacks — that produce overwhelming physical symptoms, including a racing heart, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and a terrifying sense of losing control. Panic attacks typically peak within 10 minutes and can occur without any obvious trigger.

Social Anxiety Disorder An intense fear of social situations and interactions, driven by an overwhelming concern about being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated by others. Social anxiety affects an estimated 1 in 10 people in the UK and can make everyday activities, including speaking at work, eating in public, or making phone calls, feel completely impossible.

Health Anxiety Formerly known as hypochondria, health anxiety involves an excessive and persistent preoccupation with having or developing a serious illness. It is significantly more common in people who have experienced serious illness personally or within their family and can lead to repeated, unnecessary medical appointments and investigations.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) PTSD develops following exposure to a traumatic or life-threatening event and causes flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and emotional numbness that can persist for months or years without appropriate treatment.

You should book an online GP appointment if:

• Your anxiety has lasted longer than 2 weeks without improvement
• Worry and fear are affecting your ability to work, sleep, or socialise
• You are experiencing regular panic attacks
• You have started avoiding everyday situations because of anxiety
• You are using alcohol or other substances to cope with anxious feelings
• Your anxiety is accompanied by low mood or depression
• You are having thoughts of self-harm — please seek help immediately
• Previous anxiety treatment has stopped working or feels insufficient

Our doctors will conduct a thorough, compassionate assessment of your symptoms, triggers, and personal circumstances before recommending the most appropriate and effective treatment plan:

✓ Prescribe SSRI antidepressants — the most effective first-line medication for anxiety

✓ Recommend short-term anxiety relief medication where clinically appropriate

✓ Refer you to NHS talking therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

✓ Provide a fit note if your anxiety is preventing you from attending work

✓ Recommend evidence-based self-help resources, apps, and support groups

✓ Create a structured follow-up plan to monitor your progress and adjust treatment

Anxiety and depression together account for almost half of all ill-health in people under 65 in the UK — yet fewer than half of those affected ever seek professional help. You do not have to manage this alone. Our online GPs provide a safe, completely confidential, and judgement-free space to talk about how you are feeling — and to access the right treatment today.

Book an Online GP Appointment — Same Day Slots Available