If your anxiety symptoms aren’t improving with therapy, meeting with a psychiatrist to discuss medication management can help.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, whereas psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are nurse practitioners who specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe anxiety medication to fit your needs.
In addition to medication, psychiatric providers may also recommend lifestyle changes to help reduce your anxiety symptoms.
It’s natural to feel anxious before you give a presentation at work or when attending a get-together with people you don’t know. But for people with an anxiety disorder, that fear and worry don’t go away and can cause significant impacts on their daily lives. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the U.S., with more than 40 million adults having one.
If your anxiety is impacting your daily functioning, medication may be a valuable treatment option. A psychiatrist can consider your symptoms and determine if medication could help.
The role of psychiatric medications in anxiety treatment
Only licensed medical professionals, like a psychiatric provider or a primary care doctor, can prescribe medication for anxiety. Psychiatric providers focus on mental health and can help you find the right medication and dosage. They can also work with you to create a treatment plan that might include therapy and healthy habits.
Medication can be an important part of treating anxiety. It can ease symptoms like constant worry, panic attacks, or feeling tense all the time. When anxiety doesn’t get better with therapy or lifestyle changes alone, medication can make a big difference.
Some people don’t get help for anxiety because they’re afraid of being judged. But anxiety is considered a mental health condition when it starts impacting your daily functioning. And seeking support is a sign of strength. Taking medication for anxiety can help reduce the intensity of your symptoms.
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How psychiatrists prescribe anxiety medication
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, whereas PMHNPs are nurse practitioners who focus on mental health. They can prescribe medication to manage anxiety. To find the best treatment, they’ll look at your symptoms, medical history, and daily habits.
There are four main types of medication used to treat anxiety disorders. A psychiatric provider can help guide you through the pros and cons of each type.
To figure out which medication may be right for you, a psychiatric provider will look at a few factors:
How long your symptoms last: They’ll ask how often you feel anxious, how strong your anxiety is, and how it affects your daily life. This can include areas like school, work, sleep, or relationships.
Type of anxiety you have: Different types of anxiety have different symptoms. Your psychiatrist will determine which medication will help manage your symptoms most effectively.
Health history: If you live with other conditions, like diabetes or substance use disorder (SUD), your psychiatric provider will take that into consideration when prescribing medication. They may also do lab tests to make sure your anxiety symptoms aren’t caused by something else, like low blood sugar or a thyroid condition.
Personal preferences: They can explain the pros and cons of each medication for addressing your symptoms. And they can listen to your concerns before creating a treatment plan.
Five things to keep in mind when starting anxiety medication
If you’re thinking about treating your anxiety with medication, it’s important to talk with a psychiatrist who specializes in this area. They can help figure out what’s causing your symptoms and find the treatment option that works best for you.
Some things to consider when taking anxiety medication include:
Communicate with your psychiatrist. Some people feel better within 4 to 8 weeks, but others may need to try more than one medication. That’s why it’s important to check in regularly and share how you’re feeling.
Pay attention to side effects. It’s normal to have mild side effects at first, like feeling tired or a little sick to your stomach. These usually go away. But tell your provider right away if you feel dizzy, faint, or have a rash or swelling.
Don’t stop suddenly. Never stop taking anxiety medication without talking to your psychiatrist. Stopping abruptly can make your anxiety worse or cause withdrawal symptoms.
Adhere to your treatment plan. Medication can help ease anxiety, but it isn’t the only form of support. Therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help you understand what causes your anxiety and teach you ways to manage it.
Incorporate lifestyle changes. In addition to medication, there are adjustments you can make as well. Getting good sleep, eating healthy, and managing stress can help you reduce your anxiety symptoms.
When deciding whether anxiety medication is the right choice for you, it’s important to consider how it’s impacting your functioning in daily life. Think about if you’re having difficulty sleeping, eating, or avoiding tasks completely. If this is your experience, medication could be a valuable addition to your anxiety treatment plan.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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Living with an anxiety disorder can make everyday life feel hard. But talking to a psychiatrist who can prescribe medication and help you with a treatment plan can make a big difference. Over time, it can help you feel less anxious and more in control.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Linda Childers
Linda is an award-winning medical writer with experience writing for major media outlets, health companies, hospitals, and both consumer and trade print and digital outlets.
Her articles have appeared in the Washington Post, USA Today, WebMD, AARP, Brain+Life, HealthyWomen.org, The Rheumatologist, California Health Report, Everyday Health, HealthCentral, and many other media outlets.
While juggling the responsibilities of being part of the “sandwich generation” and caring for both her toddler son and terminally ill mother, a nurse friend encouraged her to seek therapy, which helped her to learn coping strategies and manage her depression. Linda hopes her work will help to destigmatize mental health conditions and encourage others to get the help they need.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Halee is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in outpatient community health with children/adolescents as well as inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She currently sees patients via outpatient telehealth. Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she worked in emergency rooms, medical-surgical units, long-term care facilities (including Alzheimer/dementia units) and the intensive care unit.
She chose a career in mental health because she wanted to help people and to contribute to breaking down stigma around mental health. She is especially passionate about working with people who are navigating substance use disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety/trauma-related disorders. She has three labradoodles that she adores.
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