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A person who thinks they might have an anxiety disorder should see a doctor. A doctor may perform some tests to make sure that the anxiety does not have another cause and will ask questions to assess the severity. It's important for people to tell their doctor about how they are feeling and what they are concerned about, so the doctor can accurately diagnose and recommend the most appropriate therapy for their anxiety.
Treating and Preventing Anxiety Disorders
Treatment varies depending on the specific type of anxiety disorder.
Many psychological treatments can help with anxiety, but the most effective form is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
With CBT, irrational fears are challenged in a logical fashion. As a part of CBT, exposure therapy may be used and involves confronting the object of the fear. This may need to be done slowly. Exposure therapy works best for specific phobias (like fear of spiders or flying) that often don't respond to medications. Support groups may also be helpful for some people.
Medications that help control anxiety affect the three main chemical messengers involved with anxiety: serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Medications used may include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., fluoxetine*, paroxetine, escitalopram), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine), GABA derivatives (e.g., pregabalin) and anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam). For a small number of people, benzodiazepines can be habit-forming.
Other medications that can be used include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as clomipramine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine), and buspirone.
Not all of the medications used in anxiety disorders are approved by Health Canada for this purpose. Some people with mild anxiety or anxiety from something they can avoid easily may choose not to receive help for their condition.
Many people with anxiety benefit from lifestyle modifications, including the following approaches:
Reduce caffeine consumption.
Reduce alcohol consumption.
Reduce or stop smoking.
Practice relaxation techniques (e.g., proper breathing, yoga, meditation).
Eat a healthy diet, sleep well, and exercise regularly.
Gain perspective by talking about your feelings with someone close or with a professional counsellor.
