What Happens When You Go To The Doctor For Anxiety

How Are Anxiety Disorders Treated

An anxiety disorder is like any other health problem that requires treatment. You cant will it away. Its not a matter of self-discipline or attitude. Researchers have made a lot of progress in the last few decades in treating mental health conditions. Your healthcare provider will tailor a treatment plan that works for you. Your plan may combine medication and psychotherapy.

What Your Doctor Can Do

Before heading to your doctor, it is worth considering what you hope to get out of it. Your doctor can offer a lot of advice and answers, but their options are not unlimited, and it is worth keeping this in mind when going to see them.

Offer you a diagnosis

First and foremost, your doctor may be able to offer you a diagnosis.

This is important because you want to be tackling the right problem. Many people struggle with anxiety for years while thinking they have depression, for example. And the line between OCD and anxiety is a thin one.

It maybe the case that they need to refer you to a specialist for a detailed diagnosis. But, in either case, they are the gatekeeper to diagnosis.

Refer you for therapy

Your doctor may also be the gatekeeper to accessing therapy.

This is particularly important in countries with universal healthcare systems as you will be able to access therapy services for free, or subsidised by the national healthcare provider.

The downside of this is that there will typically be a roadmap you have to follow. In the UK, for example, you will almost always be sent for cognitive behavioural therapy, regardless of whether you think it is effective or not .

Prescribe medication

Only a doctor can prescribe medication. Therapists and counsellors do not have the power to prescribe, but your GP or a psychiatrist does.

Offer advice and understanding

How Bad Is My Anxiety

Often, we’re asking ourselves one question: exactly how bad is my anxiety? Is it bad enough to see a doctor?

In a perfect world, the answer would be that you should go if you feel it is bad enough. But going to see your doctor can be a hassle, especially if it has to fit in around work, or maybe it is difficult to get an appointment or costs money to do so.

Therefore, you may be looking for a guide to whether your anxiety is serious enough before booking the appointment.

An easy way to check this is to use the GAD-7. This is an anxiety assessment consisting of seven questions and it is remarkably accurate at diagnosing how serious your anxiety is.

You can take our GAD-7 test online and get your score immediately. Here is what the scores mean:

Such a test is not a replacement for a diagnosis by a doctor. However, it is useful to know your GAD-7 score so that you can discuss it with your doctor in any appointment that you make. Your score will change day-to-day depending on current circumstances and mood.

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See A Mental Health Professional

If your doctor diagnoses you with depression, you may then be referred to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will further evaluate your mood and determine whether or not medication is needed.

Some people will do fine being treated by their primary care physician. Others may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, especially if symptoms are not improving with the first trial of an antidepressant or the depression is severe from the start.

Research suggests that the combination of medication and therapy is most effective for treating depression. If you would benefit from psychotherapy, your psychiatrist may handle this as well, although some elect to refer patients to another mental health professional, like a psychologist.

Know The Best Time To Go

You can visit an urgent care center at any time during the clinics normal operating hours. Be aware that some times may be busier than others. This includes nights, weekends, and holidays when many doctors offices are closed.

The more people waiting ahead of you, the longer it may take to be seen. If you need urgent care but can wait a bit longer, call your nearest urgent care center and ask about the estimated wait time before leaving home. Youll be seen by a healthcare professional quicker if you arrive when the clinic isnt busy.

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How Your Doctor Can Help You Manage Anxiety

There are several approaches that can help you cope with anxiety, and you can guide your own treatment plan. One size does not fit all. It is important to remain honest with your provider about how you would like to manage your symptoms.

Medication. Many people fear that they will be advised only to start medications. This may be suggested, as medication can be helpful in some cases. But you can say that you prefer conservative or alternative measures. After all, this is your health were talking about. Before stopping any medication, discuss this with your providerstopping abruptly can worsen symptoms.

Lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise and eating healthy can improve your symptoms. We can also incorporate integrative medicine into your plan, which consists of meditation, yoga, emotional support animals, acupuncture and massage therapy to help manage stress.

Overall health. Well also evaluate your overall physical health by ruling out thyroid conditions, sleeping disorders such as narcolepsy and sleep apnea, and autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis that can cause anxiety. Managing vitamin D and iron levels can also help improve your symptoms. By just checking your vitals, we can help get to the root cause of your anxiety.

If you are concerned about your anxiety, reach out to your doctor for guidance. Dont have a primary care physician? Find one near you.

Exercise To Fight Anxiety And Depression How It Can Help

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting nearly 40 million Americans. Major depression is also prevalent over 16 million people experienced a depressive episode last year. While therapy and medication can be pivotal to treating both anxiety and depression, research shows that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise can ease the symptoms of both. For some people, exercise works as well as antidepressant.

How does exercise help depression?

Most notably, exercise releases endorphins, which are powerful chemicals in your brain that energize your mental health and make you feel good. It also serves as a distraction to break the cycle of negative thoughts that feed and grow depression.

How does exercise help anxiety?

Exercise relieves stress and mental pressure. Even mild physical activity boosts can boost energy and focus. The release of endorphins eases tension and nerves, and enhances well-being. Anything that gets you moving can help, and its even better if you can connect in the moment.

Other benefits of regular exercise for anxiety and depression:

How to get started:

If you suffer from anxiety or depression, the thought of putting on a pair of running shoes and working out is daunting to say the very least. Its important not to stress yourself out further start slow. For example, take a walk a few days a week and gradually build up to running.

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When Should I See My Doctor

If anxiety is impacting your everyday life, talking to a doctor or a mental healthcare professional is the first step to getting the right support and understanding the options for treatment.

It might help to write down your symptoms for some time leading up to your appointment, so it’s easier to explain to a doctor or mental health professional what you’re going through. It will help them to make a thorough anxiety disorder diagnosis.

If you are thinking about suicide, then its important to seek help immediately by calling an ambulance on triple zero .

When Should I See A Doctor About Anxiety And Stress

You cant control your worries, thats what you have had trouble with. There are at least three symptoms of anxiety. Your symptoms can cause a lot of problems in your life. There is a different mental condition that explains your symptoms.

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What Else Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

If you have an anxiety disorder, ask your provider:

• Whats the best treatment for me?
• Do I need medication? What type?
• How long should I take medication?
• What type of psychotherapy will work best?
• What else can I do to manage my symptoms?
• What other conditions am I at risk for?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

An anxiety disorder can make it difficult to get through your day. Anxiety disorder symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear. You may also have physical symptoms such as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. But you dont need to live like this. Several effective anxiety disorder treatments are available. Talk to your healthcare provider to figure out your diagnosis and the best treatment plan. Often, treatment combines medications and therapy. Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants, together with CBT, can help you feel your best.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/17/2020.

References

What Is An Anxiety Disorder

An anxiety disorder is a type of mental health condition. If you have an anxiety disorder, you may respond to certain things and situations with fear and dread. You may also experience physical signs of anxiety, such as a pounding heart and sweating.

Its normal to have some anxiety. You may feel anxious or nervous if you have to tackle a problem at work, go to an interview, take a test or make an important decision. And anxiety can even be beneficial. For example, anxiety helps us notice dangerous situations and focuses our attention, so we stay safe.

But an anxiety disorder goes beyond the regular nervousness and slight fear you may feel from time to time. An anxiety disorder happens when:

• Anxiety interferes with your ability to function.
• You often overreact when something triggers your emotions.
• You cant control your responses to situations.

Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to get through the day. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for anxiety disorders.

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When To Get Help

Anxiety becomes a problem when it impairs daily life, but often, an individual can become so used to feeling anxious that it can be harder to recognize how big a role it plays in ones life.

Is anxiety hindering your life? Consider a few examples:

• Anxiety makes it hard to concentrate and is affecting your work or school performance.
• Anxiety prevents you from attending social functions.
• You call in sick because you feel too anxious to go to work.
• You worry so much its hard to enjoy everyday activities.
• You regularly have trouble sleeping because of worry.

While there are many ways anxiety can limit a persons life, individuals dont need to just get used to these limits or the persistence of the anxiety, said Dr. Minta. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable with a number of therapies to choose from that can help you live the life you most want.

If you have concerns about anxiety, ask your primary care provider for a referral to a mental health professional. Or, we can help you find a good match for you needs. Call us at .

Dr. Sandy Minta is a psychologist who sees patients of all ages at Samaritan Family Medicine Southwest and Corvallis Urgent Care.

Get ideas to help minimize the effect of the coronavirus on mental health. Learn more about mental health services at Samaritan.

Learn To Recognize The Signs Of Anxiety

Anxiety disorder is the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting up to 18% of the population. Knowing the signs of anxiety can help you realize when someone you love is having fearful thoughts or feelings. Symptoms vary from person to person but can be broken into three categories:

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Preparing For Your Appointment

You will probably start with your family doctor. If this is someone you know or have seen before, you may feel more comfortable. Even so, it is easy to worry and forget what you want to ask or tell your doctor. Because of that, it may be helpful to prepare for the appointment. Writing down information will help you remember your symptoms and questions. Take a few days prior to your appointment to write down information about:

• Your symptoms. What happens when you feel anxious? Do you worry and think you can’t stop, feel , have , feel ?

• ? Do certain situations, places, or events make you anxious? Are there certain times of the day you are more anxious than others?

• What are the major stressors in your life? Are there any major life changes taking place, such as a death, marriage, new baby, divorce, move to a new location, or job change? Are there traumatic events you have experienced recently or in your past?

• How long have you ? Have you just recently began having symptoms of anxiety, or is this something you have dealt with for many years?

• What other health conditions do you have? Your doctor should be aware of all of your health conditions, even those that are minor.

• What medications do you currently take? Make a list of all medications, including vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and supplements that you are taking.

The more information you can share with your doctor, the better . This will help your doctor better understand your situation.

See Your Primary Care Doctor

If you suspect you may have depression, your first visit should be to your family doctor or primary care physician for a thorough checkup. While most doctors do screen for depression, it’s best to tell your doctor your concerns about your mood. Your doctor is there to help you, so don’t hold back.

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Getting Rid Of The Stigma

Many people who struggle with anxiety feel like they cant reach out for help because they think they will be blamed for their condition. Sometimes people express their anxiety to those around them who downplay their emotions and tell them that they dont really need help.

Stigmas like this cause people to feel ashamed for things that are out of their control. In the past few years, great strides have been made to reduce the stigma around mental illness, but there is still a far way to go. The first step to normalizing anxiety and depression is openly talking about it with others. Talking about what its like to live with these conditions helps people understand what its really like.

The way that you talk about mental illnesses like anxiety is important, too. Be mindful of your language when talking about these types of conditions. Try to avoid using conditions as adjectives and explain to other people why thats hurtful.

You can also help end the stigma by showing compassion for those with mental illnesses if you do not suffer from one yourself. If someone opens up to you about their anxiety, be willing to listen without judgment. Being honest about your treatment also helps to normalize getting help. Tell your friends or co-workers that youre going to the therapist just as you would tell them youre going to the dentist.

Can You Go To The Er For Anxiety

Yes, but if you go to a hospital, expect to wait. Unlike Village Emergency Centers, hospitals cannot guarantee no wait time. In many cases, sufferers from panic attacks or anxiety overcome their episodes long before seeing a doctor. If you start experiencing chest pains, we highly recommend going to an ER immediately since it may be a sign of other conditions.

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What Happens When You Go To The Doctor For Anxiety

If you start from a primary care provider, the doctor will do a complete check-up, investigation, and examinations. This is to rule out any medical causes that might be causing your anxiety such as diabetes, thyroid problems, heart diseases, etc.

You might be then referred to mental health provider if your doctor rules out any medical condition.

Once being referred to a mental health specialist, you will undergo a psychological evaluation to help diagnose an anxiety disorder.

A psychological evaluation involves discussing or communicating your thoughts and feelings to the specialist. This will help in diagnosis and also check for related complications such as depression.

The mental health specialist will then compare your symptoms to an internationally used criterion known as DSM-5 . It is a criterion published by the American Psychiatric Association, to compare the symptoms for the diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.

After diagnosis, you will be given the treatment for your anxiety. Psychotherapy and anxiolytics medications are the two main treatments for anxiety.

Psychotherapy is psychological counseling. It is also known as talk therapy as it involves talking to a therapist. This will help reduce your stress and anxiety.

A form of psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy , is an effective short-term treatment for anxiety disorder. It includes exposure to the trigger of your anxiety and helps you build confidence to manage the situation.

Types Of Providers Who Treat Anxiety Disorders

There are several types of providers who can treat anxiety disorders:

• Primary care physician : Most PCPs are trained to identify and diagnose common mental health disorders. Many can also suggest and prescribe pharmacological treatment. A PCP can also often make a referral to a mental health specialist for counseling.

• Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of mental illness. They can provide both psychotherapies, or talk therapy, and prescription medication.

• Psychologist: A psychologist is a mental health professional who specializes in talk therapy or counseling. In most states, a psychologist is unable to prescribe medicine.

• Psychiatric nurse practitioner: A psychiatric nurse practitioner is trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They can also prescribe medications.

• Masters-level mental health clinician: There are several types of masters-level clinicians trained to provide talk therapy or counseling. These clinicians may be Licensed Clinical Social Workers , Marriage & Family Therapists , or Licensed Mental Health Counselors with a masters degree in clinical our counseling psychology.

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