Treating Anxiety: Mental Health

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Treating anxiety

When anxiety is related to a medical condition or to substance use, treatment focuses on the underlying causes. For the other anxiety disorders, there are three primary approaches:

1. behavioral therapy (usually either cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy)

2. medication (antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and other drugs)

3. other treatments (such as relaxation techniques and transcranial magnetic stimulation).

Keep in mind that for many people with anxiety, two treatments are usually better than one. In particular, many doctors recommend both cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. Most research suggests that this dual approach offers longer-lasting results than either medication or therapy alone.

The choice of treatment depends on the type of anxiety disorder, its severity, which symptoms are predominant, and whether you have certain other conditions, such as depression, alcohol dependence, or another anxiety disorder. Other factors influence the choice of treatment, including your age (for example, older people are more apt to have side effects when taking benzodiazepines) and your personal preferences. You and your doctor should discuss the benefits and side effects of each treatment before deciding which one, or which combination, to use.

It's important to understand what anxiety treatment can and can't do. An accurate diagnosis and proper treatment increases the odds that your symptoms will lessen significantly or disappear altogether. Once symptoms are under control, treatment can keep them from flaring up again and can help prevent a second anxiety disorder from developing. Treatment often improves or controls the problems caused by anxiety. For example, if anxiety is impairing your ability to work or creating friction between you and your family and friends, treatment can help you function better and improve your relationships.

Getting these benefits often requires some trial and error, especially with medications. While several types may be appropriate for your anxiety disorder, the first one you try may not work well for you, or it may cause a side effect that you can't tolerate. Responses to medications can vary greatly from person to person. You may need to try two or more drugs before you find the one that offers you the most relief. Finally, although treatment can dramatically reduce your symptoms or even, for a time, eliminate them, there's no cure for most anxiety disorders. In many cases, symptoms don't subside completely or they eventually return.

Last updated:	September 05, 2008