A psychologist and certain other mental health professionals can diagnose anxiety and provide counseling psychotherapy. Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your anxiety disorders-related health concerns Start Here.
The two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medications. You may benefit most from a combination of the two.
It may take some trial and error to discover which treatments work best for you. Also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, psychotherapy involves working with a therapist to reduce your anxiety symptoms. It can be an effective treatment for anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is the most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Generally a short-term treatment, CBT focuses on teaching you specific skills to improve your symptoms and gradually return to the activities you've avoided because of anxiety.
CBT includes exposure therapy, in which you gradually encounter the object or situation that triggers your anxiety so you build confidence that you can manage the situation and anxiety symptoms. Several types of medications are used to help relieve symptoms, depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have and whether you also have other mental or physical health issues. For example:. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
While most people with anxiety disorders need psychotherapy or medications to get anxiety under control, lifestyle changes also can make a difference. Here's what you can do:. Several herbal remedies have been studied as a treatment for anxiety, but more research is needed to understand the risks and benefits. You can't always be certain of what you're getting and whether it's safe. A person may feel anxious when speaking in public, taking a test, or making an important life decision.
But if the anxiety is more than temporary worry or fear, does not go away, or worsens over time, this may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. NYU Langone specialists offer expert diagnosis of anxiety disorders, which are common mental health conditions that can interfere with daily activities, affecting your performance at work and school as well as your relationships.
If you experience any symptoms of an anxiety disorder , see your doctor or a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. To diagnose an anxiety disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends a blood test, which helps the doctor determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism , may be causing your symptoms.
The doctor may also ask about any medications you are taking. Certain medications may cause symptoms of anxiety. Medication does not cure anxiety disorders but can help relieve symptoms. Medication for anxiety is prescribed by doctors, such as a psychiatrist or primary care provider. Some states also allow psychologists who have received specialized training to prescribe psychiatric medications. The most common classes of medications used to combat anxiety disorders are anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines , antidepressants, and beta-blockers.
Anti-anxiety medications can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, or extreme fear and worry. The most common anti-anxiety medications are called benzodiazepines. Although benzodiazepines are sometimes used as first-line treatments for generalized anxiety disorder, they have both benefits and drawbacks. Some benefits of benzodiazepines are that they are effective in relieving anxiety and take effect more quickly than antidepressant medications often prescribed for anxiety.
Some drawbacks of benzodiazepines are that people can build up a tolerance to them if they are taken over a long period of time and they may need higher and higher doses to get the same effect. Some people may even become dependent on them.
To avoid these problems, doctors usually prescribe benzodiazepines for short periods of time, a practice that is especially helpful for older adults, people who have substance abuse problems, and people who become dependent on medication easily. If people suddenly stop taking benzodiazepines, they may have withdrawal symptoms, or their anxiety may return. Therefore, benzodiazepines should be tapered off slowly. When you and your doctor have decided it is time to stop the medication, the doctor will help you slowly and safely decrease your dose.
A different type of anti-anxiety medication is buspirone. Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine medication specifically indicated for the treatment of chronic anxiety, although it does not help everyone. Antidepressants are used to treat depression, but they can also be helpful for treating anxiety disorders.
They may help improve the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. You may need to try several different antidepressant medicines before finding the one that improves your symptoms and has manageable side effects. A medication that has helped you or a close family member in the past will often be considered.
If you begin taking antidepressants, do not stop taking them without the help of a doctor. Stopping them abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs are commonly used as first-line treatments for anxiety. Less-commonly used — but effective — treatments for anxiety disorders are older classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs.
Please Note: In some cases, children, teenagers, and young adults under 25 may experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressant medications, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. Because of this, patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be watched closely, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. Although beta-blockers are most often used to treat high blood pressure, they can also be used to help relieve the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat, shaking, trembling, and blushing.
These medications, when taken for a short period of time, can help people keep physical symptoms under control. Some types of drugs may work better for specific types of anxiety disorders, so people should work closely with their doctor to identify which medication is best for them. Certain substances such as caffeine, some over-the-counter cold medicines, illicit drugs, and herbal supplements may aggravate the symptoms of anxiety disorders or interact with prescribed medication.
Patients should talk with their doctor, so they can learn which substances are safe and which to avoid. Your doctor may try several medicines before finding the right one. Please note that any information on this website regarding medications is provided for educational purposes only and may be outdated. Diagnosis and treatment decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor.
Information about medications changes frequently. You may have GAD if: your worrying significantly affects your daily life, including your job and social life your worries are extremely stressful and upsetting you worry about all sorts of things and have a tendency to think the worst your worrying is uncontrollable you have felt worried nearly every day for at least 6 months Talking to your GP about anxiety Your GP may ask you questions about: any physical or psychological symptoms and how long you have had them for your worries, fears and emotions your personal life You may find it difficult to talk about your feelings, emotions and personal life.
You're most likely to be diagnosed with GAD if you have had symptoms for 6 months or more. To help with the diagnosis, your GP may carry out a physical examination or blood tests to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms, such as: anaemia a deficiency in iron or vitamin B12 and folate an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism.
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