Use Your Health Insurance Just Like You Normally Would To See Your Doctor
While anxiety is a normal part of life and it is not a problem to feel anxious or stressed in certain circumstances if your anxiety is creeping up when it shouldnt be, seek help.
What is considered bad anxiety? When someone suffering from an anxiety disorder does not experience anxious feelings in passing. Rather, their anxiety arises during routine or ordinary activities and interferes with their ability to go about their daily life.
What Your Gp Can Help You With
If you speak to your GP about your mental health concerns, they can:
ask questions about your feelings and thoughts that may help you better understand what you are going through and what support is available
offer your medication if it’s appropriate and/or free talking therapies
recommend simple lifestyle changes that can improve your mental health
invite you back for another appointment in a few weeks’ time to see how you’re doing. They may refer you to a specialist if they think that would be more helpful.
Samaritans
If you feel very worried about your mental health or are considering taking your own life, you should talk to someone. You can call your GP surgery and arrange to speak to someone immediately, or alternatively the Samaritans offer completely confidential emotional support 24 hours per day:
Get Anxiety Treatment Online
If youâre looking for convenient and affordable treatment for your anxiety, try booking an appointment with one of our trusted PlushCare doctors.
PlushCare makes it easy to schedule a virtual appointment where one of our doctors can talk to you about your needs and prescribe you the appropriate medication, if necessary.
Common anxiety treatments we prescribe include:
Prozac
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Finding Out About Your Anxiety
Only a trained professional can give you a true diagnosis. But the above explanations should give you a better understanding of the types of anxiety disorders that affect millions of people all over the world.
No matter what type of anxiety you feel you’re suffering from, the good news is that there are genuinely effective ways to help. Many people have cured their anxiety altogether, and others find ways to make it easily manageable.
All you need to do is understand your anxiety better, choose effective treatment techniques, and make sure that you’re ready to commit to what it takes to rid yourself of your anxiety forever. These techniques are out there and available to treat your anxiety and keep it from coming back.
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Anxiety Treatments: Know Your Options
Anxiety disorders can have multiple potential causes and co-existing conditions, so there is no single remedy that works for all of them. Anxiety treatment must be tailored specifically for each individual what works well for one person may not work for another. Understand your options – and then work with your doctor or therapist to determine the course of action that is best for you.
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Stress Drugs For Stress And Anxiety
While there are currently no drugs specifically for stress, there are enough for anxiety that should have roughly the same overall effect. But because of the adverse reactions and the physiological and psychological dependency risks, even these should be used extremely sparingly.
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Which Types Of Doctors Treat Stress
A variety of mental-health care practitioners treat the emotional effects of stress and associated symptoms. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are specialized in the care of mental illness and can prescribe medications if necessary. Primary care physicians, including internists and family practitioners, are often consulted by patients suffering from physical symptoms related to stress.
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Anxiety And Headache Prevention
The most common preventive measure for anxiety and headaches involve reducing the triggers that cause the headaches. Stress is the most commonly reported trigger for tension headaches.
Stress reduction techniques include:
- Deep breathing and other relaxation techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Eat a balanced, healthy diet and reduce sugar intake
- Drink plenty of water each day
- Limit alcohol and caffeine
Preventing anxiety and headaches also involve you being aware of emotional and physical triggers. Emotional triggers are actions that spark emotional responses. These can often lead to anxiety and headaches. Physical triggers are things that you consume that may activate anxiety and headaches such as caffeine, alcohol, or lack of sleep.
Who Can Diagnose Anxiety Disorders
If your provider finds no signs of physical illness, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. These mental health professionals specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. They may use specially designed interview and assessment tools to figure out if you have an anxiety disorder. Typically, the provider bases a diagnosis on:
- Your reported symptoms, including how intense they are and how long they last.
- Discussion of how the symptoms interfere with your daily life.
- The providers observation of your attitude and behavior.
Providers also consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . The American Psychiatric Association publishes the DSM-5. Its the standard reference manual for diagnosing mental illnesses.
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What To Look For In A Psychiatrist
Those who have never visited a psychiatrist may not know how to find one that suits their specific needs. There are a few factors to keep in mind when you search for a psychiatrist:
- Your condition or concern. Psychiatrists treat many conditions, but some specialize in areas of focus that may suit your needs. You may want to look for a psychiatrist, who may treat your conditions while matching your specific conditions and concerns.
- Which medications you may or may not need. You may need a psychiatrist to manage medications while also providing talk therapy options.
- Credentials. When choosing the best psychiatrist for you, you may want to consider their credentials. Do they have proper education, training, licensing and practice experience? Which areas of mental health do they specialize in? Be sure to research their treatment approaches and philosophy as well.
Health Providers Who Treat Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is excessive worry and uneasiness that intereferes with normal activities and relationships. The cause is often not immediately apparent. Anxiety disorders are a far more common problem than we may think. In the United States alone, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, impacting an estimated 40 million adultsor 18% of the population. Ranging from generalized , social anxiety, eating disorders, and others, most of us have experienced at least a moment of anxiety at one time or another.
Whether its a specific life event thats causing anxiety or possibly a , anxiety is a normal reaction for us as intellectual beings to real or imagined stressors. If you think you need to seek help for an anxiety disorder, thats a big first step in getting better. Remember, anxiety issues are treatable through many different means, and there are several providers who can help you find the right treatment option for you.
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Treatment For Anxiety And Depression In Men
Your doctor is a good source of information and can discuss with you whether what youre experiencing may be anxiety or depression. They can also refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Any of these health professionals can help you with an action plan, whether or not you are diagnosed with anxiety, depression or both.
Anxiety and depression are like any other conditions there are ways to treat and manage them.
Lifestyle changes, such as spending time with supportive friends and family, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet and cutting down on alcohol and other drugs are all worthwhile changes that can help to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.
Psychological treatments, including cognitive behaviour therapy, are effective in treating anxiety and depression and are often recommended first, particularly for mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Your doctor may refer you to see a psychologist or other counsellor for this type of treatment.
For some people, antidepressant medication might also be an option. Antidepressants can be effective for both anxiety and depression. They usually take at least 2 weeks before they start to help, and it may also take some time for your doctor to find the medication and dose that is most effective for you.
Anxiety And Headache Symptoms
Anxiety and headache symptoms can range from mild to severe. A headache can feel like a dull, constant pain. Most tension headaches are mild to moderate.
A tension headache is the most common type of headache, and yet its causes arent well-understood. There is a known relationship between anxiety and headaches, but with unclear etiology.
Symptoms of tension headaches include:
- Dull, aching head pain
- Sensation of tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head
- Tenderness on your scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles
A more severe type of headache caused by anxiety through bad sleeping habits are migraines. Migraines are more severe because they often involve visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting.
Visual disturbances can include painful experiences to light. Migraines indirectly can also be caused by anxiety. People with diagnosed generalized anxiety disorders are more prone to migraines which can be severe. Physical activity typically aggravates migraine pain yet doesnt make tension headache pain worse.
Some symptoms of migraine headaches include:
- An increased sensitivity to either light or sound
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Prodrome signs like a specific aura
Visual disturbances can occur with a tension headache, but these arent common symptoms. Migraines and chronic daily headaches are common in people who suffer from anxiety disorders.
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
In most cases, the first medication you’ll be offered will be a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor .
This type of medication works by increasing the level of a chemical called serotonin in your brain.
Examples of SSRIs you may be prescribed include:
- difficulty achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation
- in men, difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection
These side effects should improve over time, although some such as sexual problems can persist.
If your medication isn’t helping after about 2 months of treatment or it’s causing unpleasant side effects, your GP may prescribe an alternative SSRI.
When you and your GP decide it’s appropriate for you to stop taking your medication, you’ll normally have your dose slowly reduced over the course of a few weeks to reduce the risk of withdrawal effects.
Never stop taking your medication unless your GP specifically advises you to.
Drugs To Treat Anxiety Disorder
Xanax has boxed warnings. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration . Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Using benzodiazepines, even as prescribed, can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Withdrawal can be life threatening.
Using benzodiazepines can also lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse of benzodiazepines increases your risk of overdose and death.
Only take these drugs as your doctor prescribes. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about safely taking a benzodiazepine.
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Types Of Anxiety Disorders And How You Can Treat Them
Anxiety is a very serious problem that many people deal with every single day. Being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder is very common, and if youre struggling with anxiety symptoms, you should know that youre not alone. The World Health Organization has stated that one in thirteen people suffer from some type of anxiety globally. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, and which anxiety disorder you might be suffering from will need to be determined by your doctor. If you would like to learn more about the various anxiety disorders that exist and how you can treat then, then please keep reading.
Can Anxiety Disorders Be Prevented
You cant prevent anxiety disorders. But you can take steps to control or reduce your symptoms:
- Check out medications: Talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies. Some of these contain chemicals that may make anxiety symptoms worse.
- Limit caffeine: Stop or limit how much caffeine you consume, including coffee, tea, cola and chocolate.
- Live a healthy lifestyle: Exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Seek help: Get counseling and support if you experienced a traumatic or disturbing event. Doing so can help prevent anxiety and other unpleasant feelings from disrupting your life.
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Your Anxiety Is Harming Your Physical Well
Occasional anxious thoughts may cause more mental stress than physical symptoms. However, if you have an anxiety disorder, you will likely experience physical symptoms that sap your energy and interfere with your daily functioning. These signs could include sleeping troubles, unexplained muscle aches and digestive issues.
Coping Support And Resources
In addition to your prescribed treatment, you may want to join a support group. It can be very helpful to talk with other people who are experiencing symptoms similar to yours. Its good to know that you are not alone. Someone else with similar symptoms can understand what youre going through and offer support and encouragement. Being part of a group can also help you develop new social skills.
Your community will likely have several support groups, either for your specific disorder or for anxiety in general. Check with your medical professionals to learn what resources are available in your area. You might ask your:
- mental health provider
- primary doctor
- county mental health services agency
You can also participate in support groups online. This may be a good way to start if you have social anxiety disorder or feel uncomfortable in a face-to-face group setting.
Treatment of diagnosed anxiety is often multi-disciplinary. This means you may see one or all of the following medical practitioners:
- primary care physician
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Supporting Someone With Anxiety Or Depression
There are ways that you can help someone with anxiety or depression. It may be helpful to:
- let them know if youve noticed a change in their behaviour
- spend time talking about their experiences and let them know youre there to listen without being judgmental
- help them to get information from a website, library or community health centre
- suggest they go to a doctor or health professional, and help them to make an appointment
- offer to go with them to their appointment and follow up with them afterwards
- encourage them to get enough sleep, to exercise and to eat well
- encourage family and friends to invite them out and keep in touch, but dont pressure them to participate in activities
- contact a doctor or hospital if they become a threat to themselves or others.
It is unhelpful to:
- put pressure on them by telling them to snap out of it or get their act together
- stay away or avoid them
- tell them they just need to stay busy or get out more
- pressure them to party more or wipe out how theyre feeling with drugs and alcohol
- assume the problem will just go away.
If you or someone you know needs support, talk to a doctor or other health professional about getting appropriate treatment.
Things To Tell Your Doctor
This information will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis of your condition.
- Make a list of your symptoms and when they began. Note when your symptoms occur, how they affect your life, and when theyre better or worse.
- Write down any major stresses in your life, as well as any traumas youve experienced, both past and present.
- Write down all of your health conditions: mental and physical.
- Make a list of all medications and supplements youre taking. Include how much you take and how often.
List any other substances you use or consume, such as:
- coffee
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Psychological Therapies For Gad
If you have been diagnosed with GAD, you’ll usually be advised to try psychological treatment before you’re prescribed medication.
You can get psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy and applied relaxation on the NHS.
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS psychological therapies service without a referral from a GP.
Or your GP can refer you if you prefer.
What Is The Difference Between Stress And Anxiety
It is ubiquitous for people to experience stress and anxiety, whether it be an issue at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision. Both are emotional responses, but an external trigger usually causes stress. The difference between stress and anxiety is that stress is a response to a threat in a situation, while anxiety is a reaction to the stress. Anxiety is defined by persistent, excessive worries that dont go away even if there is no stressor, and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships.
| Stress |
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Are There Any Stress Medications
There is currently no such thing as a stress medication, but generally doctors will prescribe anxiety medications instead. Technically stress and anxiety are different, but they share enough similarities that the effects are considered the same.
If you are simply under a great deal of stress but your actual anxiety symptoms are not that strong, your doctor will likely prescribe you a very mild anxiolytic . Buspirone is a popular one, as it is considered one of the weakest on the market but also has the fewest side effects. Buspar is one of the few that is only an anxiolytic as well, so it’s unlikely to cause fatigue, personality changes, etc. All it does is reduce anxiety.
However, many find that Buspar is a bit too weak for their needs. Even though it has fewer side effects than other medications, it also may have some adverse reactions in some people. Unless your anxiety is pronounced, it’s unlikely that you’ll be given traditional anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines for your stress. Benzodiazepines tend to cause a bit too much fatigue, and the addiction risk is pretty strong.
Instead, you’ll likely be prescribed antidepressants, the most common being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Prozac is one of the most well-known SSRIs available, and others include Paxil, Effexor, and Vanatrip.
