This article on How to Treat Anxiety Disorders addresses the different treatments for each disorder. If it is comorbid with other conditions such as ADHD, depression, or another anxiety disorder, treatment may have to be specialized in order to include the additional condition. For information on the causes, types and diagnosis of anxiety disorders, please read How to Diagnose Anxiety Disorders.

Most anxiety disorders are treated with medication and/or therapy. The type of therapy and the type of medication will depend on the problem and on the response of the individual to the treatment. Many times, several different combinations of medications and therapy may have to be experimented with until the right combination is found for that specific individual. Sometimes if the person is experiencing another condition in addition to the anxiety, that condition may have to be fixed before the anxiety can be treated. Depression and substance abuse are two of the most comorbid conditions.

If this is not the first time an individual has been treated for an anxiety disorder, it is important that prior treatment is discussed with the treating physician. The more the physician knows about the types of therapy and medications that were used, the easier it will be for him to develop a treatment plan. If the individual had any side effects from any drugs or found that a certain type of therapy didn’t work, it is important for the treating physician to know this also. This can save a lot of time by not having to experiment to get the proper treatment or the proper medication and dosage.

Let’s assume you have never needed to find a mental health provider before. You may not realize how many different types there are. Do you need a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a social worker? Or maybe you just need your family doctor. Maybe your problem is more serious and you need a specialist.

The following are some things the Mayo Clinic recommends you need to consider before choosing someone to treat you. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00008/NSECTIONGROUP=2

1. What is your area of concern or your condition? You may want to find someone who deals with your specific problem.
2. Do you need someone who can prescribe or evaluate medications? Both family doctors and psychiatrist can prescribe and evaluate medications, while other types of professionals cannot.
3. How severe is your condition? If your problem is not severe, you might see a family doctor and/or a counselor. If it is severe, you might need to see a psychiatrist or psychologist or both.
4. What will your insurance cover? Check your policy to see what types of treatments are available to you.
5. What are some of the way to search for a mental health provider?
   • Ask your insurance company for a list of authorized providers;
   • Seek a referral from your family doctor;
   • Talk to your clergy, friends and family;
   • Check the phone book under community services, counselors, physicians, psychiatrists, and/or social workers;
   • Ask your company’s employee assistance program if your company has one; and,
   • Search for local or national mental health organizations.
6. Search for a provider you would feel comfortable with considering their age, gender, religion, language or cultural backgrounds.
7. After you find one that might work for you, call and ask questions. When you get an appointment, make a list of questions you might want to ask. These questions might include:
   • Their experience and education;
   • Their office hours, what insurances they accept, how long your sessions will be, and their fees;
   • Their approach to treatment; and
   • Their specialties.
8. If you are not comfortable with the provider you have chosen after your visit, don’t hesitate to find someone else. Being comfortable with your provider can have the following benefits:
   • Resolve short term problems;
   • Help you work through long time issues;
   • Relieve symptoms that are bothering you;
   • Help you overcome personal challenges;
   • Help with problems in your relationships with others; and
   • Allow you to get more enjoyment out of life.

There are many different types of medications that are used to treat different anxiety disorders. Sometimes searching for the right one can take time and patience. While medications do not cure anxiety disorders, they help alleviate symptoms while the individual is receiving therapy. With the right combination of medications and therapy, it is possible for many people with anxiety disorders to have a normal, happy life. The National Institute of Mental Health describes some of the medications that are availablehttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/treatment-of-anxiety-disorders.shtml

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are used for [[anxiety] but also work for depression. They begin to help after the first dose, but it takes about four to six weeks for them to really reach their full potential and begin to lessen symptoms. It is very important to take these medications for the long term in order for them to work.

SSRIs

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) change the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that aids cells in the brain to communicate with each other.

Some of the medications used to treat panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, and social phobias are Fluoxetine (Prozac®), sertraline (Zoloft®), escitalopram (Lexapro®), paroxetine (Paxil®), and citalopram (Celexa®). These medications also work well to treat panic disorder when it is comorbid with depression, OCD, or PTSD. GAD is often treated with venlafaxine (Effexor®) which is similar to an SSRI. The medications are initially prescribed with low doses and increased as necessary.

Nausea and the jitters are often side effects from these medications, but those side effects lessen and disappear over time. If the SSRI is causing sexual dysfunction, the dosage should be lowered or another SSRI should be prescribed.

Tricyclics

Tricyclics have been around for a while and work well to treat anxiety disorders except for OCD. They are also prescribed with low doses and slowly increased. They may cause dry mouth, dizziness, weight gain, and drowsiness. These side effects can be eliminated by lowering the dosage or changing to another tricyclic.

Imipramine (Tofranil®), is often prescribed for panic disorder and GAD. OCD sufferers often find that clomipramine (Anafranil®) is helpful.

MAOIs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the oldest class of antidepressant medications. Phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), and isocarboxazid (Marplan®) are the most common MAOIs prescribed for panic disorder and social phobia. There are several foods and beverages, like wine and cheese, which cannot be eaten while taking these medications. People who take MAOIs cannot eat a variety of foods and beverages (including cheese and red wine) which contain tyramine. Some types of birth control pills, as well as some over the counter medications like Advil®, Motrin®, or Tylenol®, cold and allergy medications, and herbal supplements cannot be taken because when they interacts with an MAOI they can cause blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels. There are some skin patches that are now on the market which decrease these risks. MAOIs and SSRIs take in combination can cause serotonin syndrome. This combination can cause people to be confused, hallucinate, sweat, have muscle stiffness, seizures, decrease or increase in blood pressure, change the heart’s rhythm, or possibly cause other life-threatening conditions.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs

Benzodiazepines at high doses can be used to treat anxiety. Except for drowsiness their main side effect is drowsiness. The problem is people may require higher and higher doses in order to get the same results. They are usually prescribed for short term use, particularly to substance abusers who can become dependent. People with panic disorder, however, can safely take this medication for up to one year.

Social phobias and GAD are often treated with clonazepam (Klonopin®), panic disorders may be treated with lorazepam (Ativan®), and both panic disorders and GAD may be treated with alprazolam (Xanax®). If these drugs are stopped abruptly, they can cause withdrawal symptoms and anxiety returns. Because of this, some doctors do not prescribe these medications or prescribe a lower dose that is not really effective in the treatment of anxiety.

When an azapirone (Buspirone or Buspar®), is prescribed, it must be taken for a period of at least two weeks in order to be effective. This newer medication used to treat GAD has side effects like headaches, nausea and dizziness.

Beta-Blockers

Although beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal®), are used for people with heart conditions, they help with the physical symptoms of anxiety. It is especially helpful with social phobias.

Before taking medication for an anxiety disorder be sure to find out about possible side effects. Let your doctor know what over the counter medications you may be taking. Ask if the medication can be stopped or if it needs to be withdrawn slowly. A joint effort between you and the doctor will help to determine the medication and dosage that will work best for you. Understand that if medications are not taken regularly or are stopped, symptoms may return.

Combining medication with psychotherapy is often the best treatment approach. To determine the best form of therapy, the individual needs to work with a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor or social worker. The National Institute of Mental Health describes some possible therapies that are effective.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/treatment-of-anxiety-disorders.shtml

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

One of the best forms of therapy for anxiety is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). By combining the two types of therapy, thinking patterns that cause them to be fearful can be changed (cognitive), and the reactions to these fears can be changed (behavioral).

People with panic disorder often fear they are having a heart attack and people with social phobias often believe that others are judging and watching them. CBT can help these people confront their fears and become desensitized to the things that trigger these attacks by using exposure techniques.

For people with OCD who are afraid of germs, the therapist will have them get their hands dirty and wait for a length of time before they are allowed to wash them. The length of time before washing is increased until the person’s anxiety diminishes. People with social phobia who fear they are being judged by others are encouraged to make small mistakes and observe the responses of people around them. They soon see that the responses are far less than they had feared and the anxiety decreases. For those with PTSD, repetition of their traumatic event in a safe environment, can lessen the fear it causes.

Exposure-Based Behavioral Therapy

Gradually exposing a person with a specific phobia to a feared object is one method of treatment. First pictures may be shown, then videos, then finally physical exposure. With the guidance and support of the therapist, eventually the fear subsides. This type of therapy works well with fear to one specific thing, like spiders or snakes.

People undergo CBT when they are ready. The treatment must be individualized for the person targeting their needs. They may undergo more anxiety when they first begin, but treatment will lessen that anxiety in the long run. The full treatment of both CBT and behavioral therapy is approximately twelve weeks. It can be done individually or in a group. The person is given homework to do on their own between meetings. It is possible the benefits of this therapy last longer than medications do. If the person relapses, the same therapy can be used again to treat the anxiety.

The content on this page is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak with a qualified heath care professional to ensure that you have the most accurate information regarding any mental health diagnosis.