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PRIMARY CARE SERVICES

Diagnosis & Treatment

Anxiety

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How is Anxiety Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

To diagnose an anxiety disorder, a primary care doctor will:

  • Perform a physical exam where they ask about the person's medical and mental history and symptoms.
  • Recommends a blood test to rule out medical conditions that may cause anxiety symptoms, such as hypothyroidism.
  • Recommend a psychological or psychiatric evaluation by a mental health specialist to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder and the presence of other mental conditions.
  • Refer the patient to a psychiatrist. The primary care doctor will refer a person with an anxiety disorder to a psychiatrist or psychologist if needed.

What type of doctor do you see for anxiety?

A person with anxiety will typically have an appointment with the primary care provider for a physical examination and review of the symptoms. If needed, the primary care provider will refer the patient to a
psychiatrist or a psychologist.

How is Anxiety Treated?

Treatments

Treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes medication or psychotherapy. Many people benefit from a treatment that consists of both medication and psychotherapy.

Medication

A psychiatrist may prescribe medication for short-term or long-term treatment of anxiety disorders, depending on the patient's symptoms. Medication can be used together with psychotherapy.

  • Antidepressants are used to treat depression, but they can also help treat anxiety disorders by improving the way the brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also called SSRIs, are the most common antidepressant medications for certain types of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion and mirtazapine, may also be prescribed to manage some anxiety disorders.
  • Anti-anxiety medications calm the nervous system and provide short-term anxiety and panic relief. These medications include alprazolam from a class called benzodiazepines and buspirone.
  • Beta-blockers. For those with social anxiety disorder and specific phobia, a psychiatrist may prescribe a beta blocker, a medication to treat blood pressure. Beta-blockers reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as pounding heart, sweating, and shaking, without causing the side effects of fatigue and dizziness that other medications might cause.

Psychotherapy

For many, psychotherapy is an effective treatment for anxiety, often with medication. In psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or psychological counseling, a therapist helps a patient find ways to reduce the patient's anxiety symptoms.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective psychotherapy for people with anxiety disorders. CBT can help patients learn specific skills to improve their symptoms. It is typically a short-term treatment. Patients gradually confront the situation or object that triggers their anxiety during treatment until they can manage the situation and symptoms.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another treatment option for some anxiety disorders. ACT uses strategies such as mindfulness and goal setting to reduce anxiety symptoms.

Support groups, stress management, and lifestyle changes

In addition to medication and psychotherapy treatments, support groups, stress management techniques, and lifestyle changes may help manage anxiety symptoms. These include:

  • Support groups. Some with anxiety disorders can benefit from joining a support or self-help group. Sharing challenges and success stories with others can be encouraging and inspiring.
  • Stress management and relaxation techniques. Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, visualization, and other techniques and practices can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase the effects of medication and psychotherapy treatments. <li><strong>Avo
  • Physical activity and being physically active most days of the week, can help stay healthy, reduce stress, and improve people's mood.
  • Avoiding recreational drugs and alcohol
  • Quitting smoking
  • Caffeinated beverages can worsen anxiety. Reducing the amount or avoiding caffeinated beverages may help manage anxiety symptoms.
  • Getting enough sleep helps feel rested and improves a person's mood.

FAQs

FAQs

Seek the professional advice of a psychologist or therapist on ways to manage your triggers and ask your doctor about medications.

To calm your anxiety attack, take the short-term antianxiety medication your doctor has prescribed. Try breathing techniques. Talk to a family member or a friend who may be able to help you calm down.

Anxiety may make a person overwhelmed with worry. A person may feel nervous, restless, or stressed without control. When having an anxiety attack, a person may have an increased heart rate, breathe quickly, shake, sweat, or have a dry mouth.

If you feel like you are worrying too much to the point that your worrying affects your relationships and work, you should consult with your primary care provider or a therapist to get an evaluation and a diagnosis.

Getting medication and psychotherapy treatments can help reduce anxiety. Learning ways to avoid anxiety triggers and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help.

Yes, anxiety can cause dizziness, which is one of the known physical symptoms of anxiety.

Get Care

Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Anxiety Care

At NewYork-Presbyterian, we are experienced in caring for a diverse population of patients, and we offer services for adults, children, adolescents, and older patients of all backgrounds. Our primary care services of family medicine doctors, internists, and pediatricians are available at more than 15 practices throughout Manhattan.

Learn more about our primary care locations and contact us to make an appointment or schedule a virtual visit.