Generalized anxiety disorder
What is it?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States. However, they can be difficult to diagnose and are often overlooked as "normal stress or anxiety". If you're experiencing symptoms that impact your day-to-day life, you deserve the support you need. Review this page to see which symptoms are familiar to you, or take the assessment below.
Common Symptoms
Below is a list of common symptoms associated with General Anxiety Disorders. If you relate to any of the following, please continue to review this page to find ways you can seek help:
- Feeling nervous, irritable, or on edge
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation), sweating, and/or trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Difficulty concentrating
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
How to Seek Care
The best thing to do if you are feeling out of sorts mentally and physically is to seek out professional help. A therapist will help you talk through your emotions and experiences and approach them from a new perspective. Additionally, a psychiatrist can prescribe medications to help you manage your symptoms. To find a professional that fits your needs, call the UF-UF Health Mental Health Services Access Line for one-on-one support in finding a provider in your area (for Gainesville-area UF-UF Health Employees and their immediate household members).
GatorCare members additionally have tier 1 coverage for services through Lucet Health (Formerly known as New Directions) and UF Health. A full break-down of available services can be found at GatorCare.org/mental-health-services.
Featured Resources
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is an excellent nonprofit organization providing information, live webinars, resources, and support on their website. Use the specific links below to help guide you to their resources.
- On-demand educational videos
- Shareable educational brochures in multiple languages for all ages
- Infographics in English and Spanish
- GAD Myths and Realities
Additional Resources
Online Support Groups
Whether you are currently experiencing mental health challenges, or whether you are learning how to support a loved one with a mental health diagnosis, the NAMI Gainesville chapter offers numerous online support groups tailored to your needs.
Learn Coping Skills
Dig deep with evidence-based worksheets and exercises to help you cope with heightened anxiety. Learn biological and cognitive techniques for mitigating psychological and physiological symptoms of anxiety.
You Are Not Alone
If you are feeling alone in your struggle, you are not alone. Read the stories of people just like you, or share your story to feel heard for perhaps the first time. This anonymous forum is a safe space to connect with individuals walking the same journey with you.
Resource Hub
Discover resources you never even dreamed existed here—financial assistance for therapy and medication, resources for BIPOC communities, supportive online communities, and more.
Spread Hope
Let the loved ones in your life know it is “ok” to not be “ok.” Share these social media posts and educational videos to normalize seeking professional help when you’re not “ok.”
