When to Consider Anxiety Medication

Having occasional bouts of anxiety is normal; it's a biochemical response to stress and fear. However, if you’re anxious all the time and worry about every little detail, you likely have an anxiety disorder and need professional help.

At Sidhu Psychiatric in Palm Harbor, Florida, Kanwaljit “Kavi” Sidhu, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, and the skilled staff diagnose and treat anxiety of all types with psychotherapy and medication. While many people don’t want to rely on medication, sometimes it’s important to consider. Here, Kavi talks more about its importance in your treatment plan.

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are more than just occasional feelings of worry or discomfort. They’re mental health conditions where the anxiety doesn't go away and worsens over time, and they can impact daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.

There are a number of different types of anxiety disorders:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

People with GAD worry about everyday issues like health, money, work, and family. But instead of thinking about them, solving the problem, and moving on, they worry excessively. The thoughts are so intrusive, they take up most of the day, every day.

Panic disorder

People with panic disorder have panic attacks (sudden, intense periods of fear when there’s no obvious threat). The attacks come on quickly, can last several minutes or more, and recur often. Following the attack, people feel completely drained and often embarrassed if someone else witnessed it.

Phobias

People with phobias have an intense fear of something specific that poses little or no actual danger. They may fear spiders, flying, being in an elevator or other enclosed spaces, being outdoors, or being in social situations (known as social anxiety).

The phobias often manifest as a panic attack if the person is faced with their fear. The intensity can make you think you’re having a heart attack.

Related disorders

Other disorders that have anxiety as a component include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized by intrusive thoughts and rituals to eliminate those thoughts; and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is triggered by memories of a past trauma.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety includes both physical and psychological signs and symptoms, including:

• Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
• Having a sense of impending danger or doom
• Becoming suddenly panicked
• Having an increased heart rate
• Hyperventilating
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling weak or tired
• Having difficulty thinking about anything other than the present concern
• Having trouble sleeping
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• Avoiding people or things that trigger anxiety

If these problems begin to affect your daily activities, it’s time to seek professional help. Properly treated, you can live a normal and fulfilling life.

Treating anxiety

The primary treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy (some form of talk therapy), medication, or both.

Talking with a psychotherapist can help you recognize your troubling thoughts and learn to change how you respond to them. To be effective, psychotherapy should focus on your specific anxieties and needs. Some of the types used for anxiety disorders include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT identifies negative thought patterns and teaches you how to change your reaction to them by responding with healthier coping mechanisms.

Exposure and response prevention

Often used for OCD, PTSD, and specific phobias, this type of therapy focuses on having you confront your fears, then avoid responding to them as you normally would. Over time, you begin to see the trigger as less of a threat.

Acceptance and commitment therapy

This type of therapy uses strategies such as mindfulness and goal setting to accept what is and thereby reduce your discomfort and anxiety.

Anxiety medication

Medication can help stabilize your mood so that psychotherapy can be more effective.

We may prescribe anti-anxiety medicines, certain antidepressants, or other medications like benzodiazepines or beta blockers in the short-term. Which one we choose depends on the specific nature and severity of your symptoms, as well as any other physical or mental health issues you may have.

We tailor each patient’s treatment plan to their individualized condition. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

If your anxiety is taking over your life, Sidhu Psychiatric can help. Call our office at 727-382-1383, or book online with us today.