Finding The Right Anxiety Specialist For You
Anxiety is a widespread mental health condition that impacts approximately 40 million adults in the U.S, as well as one in 12 children one in four adolescents. Anxiety disorders can seriously affect an individual’s emotional and physical health, ability to function, and overall quality of life. The prevalence and effects of anxiety highlight the importance of mental health and medical professionals who can provide support and guidance when managing symptoms. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of treatment for anxiety and provide you with information on how to find a healthcare provider who can address your specific emotional, physical, and mental symptoms of anxiety.
The importance of treatment
Anxiety is a common response to challenges in life, causing us to experience nervousness, worry, physical tension, rapid heart rate, and several other symptoms. While most people experience anxiety occasionally, when these feelings become severe or persistent, they can negatively affect our lives and, in some cases, signal the existence of an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. These conditions can disrupt an individual’s ability to function, lead to comorbid mental health disorders, and create physical health challenges.
Though anxiety can present numerous complications, research shows that treatment—psychotherapy and medication, usually—has substantial positive long-term effects. A healthcare provider who understands anxiety and its effects can help you find and implement the right course of treatment for your specific symptoms.
Which healthcare professionals can help?
For example, if you’re living with severe anxiety, your treatment plan may include seeing a therapist for medication management and a licensed professional counselor for therapy.
Therapists
Psychotherapy is a common form of treatment that focuses on fostering discussion between the individual and the professional. Often referred to as talk therapy, psychotherapy can help you discern the sources of anxiety, develop coping techniques, establish forms of anxiety response prevention, and work through your emotions. Therapy is a widely accepted form of care for anxiety and a range of other mental health disorders. Some may also lead support groups with other individuals also experiencing anxiety. Likely, they will recommend some easy-to-implement lifestyle changes that can help minimize anxiety, such as eating a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, getting daily activity, and avoiding caffeinated beverages.
Therapists can be psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and other providers. If you think working with a therapist is the right choice for you, it can help to understand how different forms of this treatment progress. The following are several common modalities that therapists use to treat anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly utilized types of psychotherapy and is a proven effective modality for those with anxiety. It relies on several different strategies, but one of the primary techniques therapists use is cognitive restructuring, which involves challenging negative thoughts that may be underlying behaviors and emotions related to anxiety. For example, a therapist using CBT principles may help you recognize that your symptoms of social anxiety are often related to an irrational belief that people are judging you frequently. CBT can also be utilized for obsessive-compulsive disorder, which can occur comorbidly with anxiety disorders.
Dialectical behavioral therapy
A specific form of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) may be helpful for people who experience the emotional effects of anxiety to an extreme level. This form of therapy can help individuals achieve acceptance and better understand how their behaviors may affect others. DBT is also considered a more long-term form of therapy than traditional CBT.
Interpersonal therapy
As its name suggests, interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on the way interactions with others contribute to mental health challenges. Studies show that IPT is an efficacious form of treatment for anxiety disorders. A therapist utilizing IPT principles may help you identify significant relationships in your life that contribute to anxiety. For example, with the help of a therapist, you may realize that you feel stress that arises out of your relationship with a parent who puts high expectations on you. Your therapist can then help you address this potential source of conflict and, hopefully, alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental disorders. Unlike many professionals who focus on talk therapy, psychiatrists are typically licensed to prescribe medication to treat mental illness. While some psychiatrists also talk through an individual’s feelings and behaviors with them, these discussions often center around determining how well medication is working and whether alterations are required.
A psychiatrist may also be the professional who initially provides you with a diagnosis. Their evaluation could involve medical examinations, psychological assessments, and questions about your personal history, family history, symptoms, lifestyle, etc.
Once they have determined what type of anxiety disorder you are experiencing, they can create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan may include medication management (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines), psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy), and other approaches to addressing symptoms (such as lifestyle changes).
Primary care physicians
There is evidence that primary care physicians (PCPs) are playing an increasingly important role in the treatment of mental health conditions like anxiety. Many PCPs are generalists who can address a variety of mental and physical health concerns. Because they are often already knowledgeable about an individual’s medical history, they can be a solid first option for those who want to start developing a treatment plan.
Like a psychiatrist, a PCP may examine your symptoms, provide screenings, and prescribe medication. Unlike a psychiatrist or a therapist, though, they may not have specialized training or extensive experience with mental health conditions. For this reason, a PCP might decide to refer you to other mental health professionals.
Finding the right mental health professional for you
Identifying a professional who has the qualifications and expertise to treat your anxiety symptoms can make a significant difference in your life. A qualified provider can provide personalized care to help alleviate your symptoms and address the underlying causes of your anxiety.
The relationship between the therapist and client—often called the therapeutic alliance—is considered a crucial component of successful treatment. There are thought to be three primary facets of the therapeutic alliance: consensus regarding goals, agreement on the method of treatment, and an interpersonal connection between therapist and client.
Researching anxiety specialists before deciding can help you feel more confident in the therapeutic alliance you’ll experience with them. You can often look up a professional’s credentials and experience to ensure they have the qualifications needed to help you achieve your treatment goals. There are several sites that have information about mental health providers so that you can learn more about them. For example, the American Psychological Association has a Psychologist Locator site that allows you to search for nearby psychologists and filter your results so that you see those who specifically address anxiety. Additionally, you can see each professional’s license number, years of experience, and educational qualifications.
Reading reviews from previous patients, asking for recommendations from people you know, and even requesting a preliminary consultation can help you decide if a specific professional fits your needs. During consultations, be sure to ask the provider about the modalities they use and their overall approach to treatment so you can determine whether their methods will align with your needs. It will likely be worth it to take your time and find someone with whom you fit well. Lastly, ensure that the person or practice you pick resonates with you; your comfort level may be particularly important as you navigate the symptoms of anxiety.
How online therapy can help with anxiety disorders
An increasingly large body of evidence points to online therapy as an effective treatment and way to connect participants with the mental health care they need to treat anxiety. For example, in one trial, researchers found that personalized online cognitive behavioral therapy led to significantly reduced anxiety symptoms, results which were generally sustained even two years after the end of the program.
If you’re looking to find the right mental health professional for your anxiety symptoms, consider utilizing an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. With online therapy, you can get matched with a therapist based on your needs and preferences, meaning you’ll have a good chance of connecting with someone who can address your specific challenges related to anxiety. You can also feel confident that the provider you work with is qualified—all BetterHelp therapists have at least three years of experience, a relevant degree, and accreditation.
Takeaway
Researchers and mental health professionals have identified many coping strategies that can make living with anxiety easier. Some involve cultivating physical health, which appears to have many benefits for psychological well-being. Getting regular aerobic exercise, for instance, has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve stress management. Adopting a nutritious diet and making sure to get enough sleep may also diminish persistent feelings of worry and fear.
Sustained self-reflection could also help you get better at identifying and defusing anxious thoughts. A variety of techniques may help with this, including:
- Paying attention to your typical anxiety triggers
- Mindfulness meditation
- Keeping a journal
- Talking feelings over with trusted friends or family members
If you’re experiencing urgent feelings of anxiety, taking slow, deep breaths may help, especially if you focus your awareness on the internal sensations that accompany your breathing. This can be combined with other sensory grounding techniques like:
- Mental “body scans” in which you shift your attention gradually between different body parts
- Taking note of things in your environment you can perceive with various senses
- Touching something cold or warm, such as ice water or a mug of herbal tea
- Observing the rhythm of your steps as you walk
You can find many different kinds of calming exercises online to assist in managing anxiety. Nonprofits like the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) provide a variety of informational resources on this topic, as do government programs like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
You can also learn effective skills from a trained care provider. If you aren’t sure where to get started with mental health care, online therapy can be a fast and convenient way to connect with a licensed therapist.
It may be best to learn one or two specific techniques and practice them for a few weeks. For example, you could start recording your thoughts and feelings daily in a journal while practicing body scans during periods of acute anxiety. This may feel less overwhelming than trying to become proficient in many different calming skills at once.
You may benefit from adopting a patient and compassionate attitude toward yourself as you attempt to build these skills. If you try a particular method and it doesn’t seem to make a difference in your anxiety, criticizing yourself or concluding that there’s nothing you can do may be unhelpful. Instead, you might want to remember that a specific calming technique may work better for some people than others, and move on to a different approach.
The typical treatment approach for anxiety typically involves psychotherapy, psychiatric medications, or some combination of both. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is generally considered the most effective type of treatment for anxiety disorders — it currently has the strongest evidence base. A CBT practitioner will generally aim to help the patient recognize and rethink inaccurate and counterproductive beliefs that lead to anxious feelings. They may also encourage clients to adopt behaviors that promote calmness and confidence rather than reinforcing anxiety.
The most common pharmacological treatments for anxiety disorders are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Benzodiazepines may be prescribed to help with the immediate effects of panic attacks, but are generally not recommended as long-term treatments.
If you’re experiencing recurring panic attacks or intense feelings of anxiety, it may be a good idea to consult your doctor. In many cases, it’s possible to get significant relief from these unwanted and distressing episodes through a combination of psychotherapy and medical treatment.
Your primary care physician may be able to offer some suggestions for coping with anxiety or prescribe a short course of medication. They can also refer you to a trained therapist or psychiatrist who will be able to work with you to develop a long-term treatment plan involving therapy and/or pharmaceutical treatment. You can also locate a mental health specialist through online platforms like BetterHelp or nonprofit groups like the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
Deciding to seek help for anxiety from mental health experts can be a very personal decision. However, it’s often a good idea if your feelings of worry, fear, and dread are getting in the way of living your life the way you want to. Is your anxiety causing you to:
- Avoid activities you’d normally enjoy?
- Have difficulty sleeping or eating?
- Experience strain in your interpersonal relationships?
- Perform poorly at work, in school, or while pursuing your hobbies?
- Experience significant feelings of distress?
If you answered “Yes” to any of the above, it may be time to get help for your anxiety.
Getting treatment for anxiety can often significantly improve your well-being and happiness. Difficulties with mental health may pose an obstacle to pursuing the things you value most, including close connections with others, career success, and creative fulfillment. Research suggests that receiving evidence-based treatment for anxiety can significantly enhance life satisfaction.
Treating anxiety may be more difficult in patients with more severe symptoms. However, it’s often still possible to benefit a great deal from working with a doctor or a therapist. Even people who have severe anxiety frequently demonstrate significant improvement during treatment, and they often continue to make gains even after completing therapy.
Different treatment providers may have different levels of skill and experience in assisting with particular disorders. If you have severe anxiety, it’s often best to do some research before settling on a physician or therapist. You may have more success with a practitioner who specializes in treating the specific disorder you’re living with.
Conditions involving severe episodes of anxiety and panic, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can have serious negative effects if left untreated.
These conditions can impair an individual’s ability to pursue life goals and maintain healthy relationships with other people. They can leave people feeling isolated and unhappy, leading to significant psychological distress. Current evidence suggests that the long-term consequences of failure to treat anxiety disorders can include disability, career limitations, and an increased risk of suicide.
If you’re having suicidal thoughts, it may be important to reach out to someone as soon as possible. You can connect with the nationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline online or by dialing 988, putting you in touch with a trained volunteer who can talk with you about what you’re going through and help you find additional resources.
The severity of anxiety may need to be assessed on an individual basis. However, some indicators that you’re experiencing serious anxiety could include:
- An inability to stop worrying and find a sense of calm
- Severe worry or dread about routine, everyday situations
- Relationship difficulties resulting from your anxiety
- Impacts on your job performance or academic achievement
- Difficulty performing ordinary tasks due to anxiety
- Avoiding things you value or enjoy because you’re anxious or you think you might have a panic attack
A clinical diagnosis of mental illnesses like generalized anxiety disorder can only be made by a trained mental health professional. They’ll need to evaluate you and discuss your symptoms in detail to determine what disorder, if any, best fits.
Still, it may be helpful to compare what you’re experiencing to the signs of anxiety disorders as described by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Although you may not be able to formally diagnose yourself, this comparison may help you recognize when it’s time to pursue treatment.
You also don’t necessarily need a diagnosis of anxiety to benefit from psychotherapy. Even if your feelings of worry don’t meet the official criteria for a disorder, talking about them with a therapist may help you feel more relaxed, calm, confident, and happy.
- Previous Article
- Next Article