To help diagnose generalized anxiety disorder. Doctors and mental health professionals may: 

• Perform a physical exam to determine the cause that may link your anxiety to medications or an underlying medical issue.  

• Recommend blood or urine tests or other tests if they suspect a medical problem.  

• Inquire comprehensively about your symptoms and medical history.  

• Utilize psychological questionnaires to help determine a diagnosis.  

• Use guidelines, chronicled in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.  

Anxiety treatment options are determined by a team of medical experts to help you with your general anxiety disorder-related health concerns.  

Treatment 

Treatment decisions rely on how significantly the anxiety disorder affects your ability to function in everyday life. Psychotherapy for anxiety and medications are the two main treatments for generalized anxiety disorder.  A combination of the two may help you benefit most. You can expect some trial and error before discovering which treatments work best for you.  

Psychotherapy 

Also known as psychological counseling or talk therapy, psychotherapy involves working with therapists to reduce anxiety symptoms. The most effective form of psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 

Usually a short-term treatment, CBT focuses on teaching you the specific skills to help you directly manage your concerns and assist you in gradually turning to the activities you avoided due to anxiety.  Your symptoms start improving as you build on your initial success through this process. 

Medications 

These types of anxiety medications help treat generalized anxiety disorder. The following examples are provided for reference. Discuss the benefits, risks, and possible side effects with your doctor before considering taking them.  

• Antidepressants: The first line of medication treatments for generalized anxiety disorder, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). Some examples of antidepressants helpful to treat generalized anxiety disorder include escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Your healthcare provider may also recommend other antidepressants.   

• Buspirone: You may be recommended an anti-anxiety medication called buspirone on an ongoing basis. The medication requires several weeks to become fully effective, as with most antidepressants.  

• Benzodiazepines: Your doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines for relief from anxiety symptoms in limited circumstances. Benzodiazepines are sedatives and are best used only to relieve acute anxiety on a short-term basis. As they are addictive, they are not a good choice if you have issues with alcohol or drug abuse.  

Lifestyle and Home Remedies 

While medications and psychotherapy help keep anxiety disorders under control for most people, lifestyle changes can also make a difference. Here are some suggestions that doctors advise patients:  

Remain Physically Active: Develop a routine to ensure you are physically active for most days of the week. Exercise significantly helps reduce stress. It also helps you remain healthy and improve your mood. Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and quantity of your activities.  

Prioritize Sleep: Make every effort to ensure you get sufficient sleep to feel rested. Consult with your doctor if you are experiencing difficulty sleeping.  

Relaxation Techniques: Meditation, yoga, and visualization techniques are examples of relaxation methods that help ease anxiety.  

Healthy Eating: Although additional research is necessary, a healthy diet, focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, is recommended. It is linked to reducing anxiety.  

Alcohol and Recreational Drugs Cessation: These two substances worsen and beat the best treatment for anxiety. 

Quit smoking and reduce or stop drinking coffee: Nicotine and caffeine worsen anxiety, making it essential to quit both.   

Alternative Medicine 

According to research, several herbal remedies have been studied as anxiety medications. In several studies, people reported no benefits after using them, and the results obtained are mixed. To comprehensively understand the risks and benefits, more research is necessary.    

Herbal supplements like kava and valerian increase the risk of severe liver damage despite being herbal. Other supplements, such as passionflower or theanine, have a calming effect, but they are often combined with other products, making it challenging to tell whether they help with the symptoms of anxiety.        

Therefore, when comparing natural versus medical treatment for anxiety, it is best to talk to your doctor to ensure that they are safe and will not interact with any medicines you consume.  

Coping and Support 

To deal with generalized anxiety disorder, here is what you can do: 

Adhere to Your Treatment Regimen: Administer medications as prescribed by your doctor. Attending the scheduled therapy sessions. Apply the psychotherapy techniques you acquire. Maintaining consistency is essential, as it can significantly impact your progress, particularly in terms of medication adherence.  

Take Action: Work with your mental health care professional to understand what’s making you anxious and address it.  

Let it go: Don’t dwell on past concerns. Make an attempt to change what you can in the present and let the rest take its course.  

Break the Cycle: Step out for a brisk walk or concentrate on a hobby to refocus your mind away from your concerns.  

Socialize: Don’t let your concerns isolate you from your loved ones or enjoyable activities. Caring relationships and social interaction can ease your worries.  

Participate in a Support Group Designed for Individuals with Anxiety: The environment will help you discover compassion, empathy, and common experiences shared among members. You can find support groups in your community or online, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which offers online resources.  

Preparing for your Scheduled Appointment:  

You can consult with your primary care doctor, or they may refer you to a mental health professional for further evaluation. Below is some information to help you get prepared for your appointment.  

How to Prepare: 

Before your appointment, make a list of: 

Your Symptoms: Make notes of when your symptoms occur and what appears to make them better or worse, how they affect your day-to-day activities, like school, work, or relationships.   

Crucial Personal Information: significant life changes or stressful events you have encountered recently, and any traumatic experiences you had earlier.  

Medical History: Provide information about your physical and mental health conditions with which you have been diagnosed.  

Medications: If you take any medications, including vitamins and herbs or supplements, list them with their dosages.  

Questions: If you intend to ask your doctor or mental health professional what the best treatments are for anxiety disorders, do not assume you can remember the question when you meet them. Instead, list them in the questions list so you can be sure you ask them.  

Examples of some questions you can ask the doctor include: 

• What are the likely causes of my symptoms?  

• Are there physical or possible health concerns that could be worsening your anxiety?  

• Do you need any tests?  

• Which is the best medication vs therapy for anxiety?  

• Should you see a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional?  

• When to start medication for anxiety?  

• Do you need counselling for anxiety?  

Apart from the above, do not hesitate to ask any other questions that come to your mind during your appointment.  

What to Expect from the Doctor?  

Doctors and mental health professionals are experts and will likely ask you many questions. Prepare yourself to answer them and reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Some questions you can expect include: 

• What are your symptoms?  

• What are you concerned about?  

• Do your symptoms affect your daily activities?  

• Do you practice avoidance because of anxiety?  

• Are your anxiety feelings occasional or continuous?  

• When did you first notice your anxiety?  

• Does anything specifically trigger your anxiety or worsen it?  

• What helps to improve your feelings of anxiety?  

• Do you have any physical or mental health conditions?  

• Have you had any traumatic experiences recently or earlier?  

• Do you consume or use recreational drugs?  

• Do you have blood relatives with anxiety or other mental health conditions, such as depression?  

Your doctor or mental health professional will recommend the best suitable treatment for your condition after evaluating your answers. Therefore, provide your responses carefully because it can mean the difference between healing quickly and dealing with anxiety for a long time.  

Conclusion: 

Experiencing anxiety is not inherently negative; some level of anxiety is normal to make you aware of potential threats and help you remain vigilant.  

However, the escalation of anxiety can negatively impact your life in ways that are detrimental instead of beneficial. You may find yourself avoiding specific situations and individuals. Alternatively, you may struggle to concentrate on work or studies. Additionally, you may experience physical issues such as a racing heart or excessive sweating. If overwhelming anxiety in daily life hinders or prevents you from engaging in enjoyable activities, you are not alone. The positive news is that these disorders are manageable. In addition, they are also treatable either by medication or counselling for anxiety.  

Mental health care providers are compassionate and understand how debilitating anxiety is. If it is playing a significant role in your life, they can help you take those feelings out of the spotlight, making you feel more comfortable and in control.  

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Anxiety Treatment Options: Therapy, Medication & More 
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Explore anxiety treatment options, including therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and coping strategies to manage symptoms and improve daily life.