How To Talk to a Doctor About Anxiety

Did you know that anxiety is among the most common kinds of mental health problems? However, only about one in four people receive treatment for anxiety disorders — despite effective care being available.

Having anxiety is more than feeling nervous from time to time. Those with anxiety disorders experience symptoms that may affect their lives in negative ways — such as having difficulty concentrating or experiencing panic attacks. 

While anxiety may be challenging to deal with, help is available. This often starts with talking to a primary care doctor about anxiety symptoms. 

In the following sections, we’ll explain why it’s important to discuss anxiety with your doctor. We’ll also go over how to prepare for this discussion — and what to expect during your visit.  

Why talk to my primary care doctor about anxiety?

For those struggling with symptoms of anxiety, it may be difficult to know where to turn for help. Some people might not realize that they should seek help. Others might assume that they’ll need to find a mental health care provider on their own to get treatment. 

But getting help can be as simple as talking to your primary doctor. Your doctor knows and understands your medical history. They can rule out any medical conditions that may cause symptoms that are similar to anxiety symptoms. 

Talking with your primary care doctor first means you can find out what steps to take next to get the help you need. For example, if your anxiety requires specialized care, your primary doctor can give you a referral to a mental health provider, such as a therapist or psychiatrist. 

Signs you should talk to your doctor about anxiety 

Anxiety is a normal human response to external stressors. But when this happens without a trigger, it can be debilitating.

Individuals with anxiety or panic disorder may experience physical symptoms that make it challenging to function in their daily activities. For example, someone with a social anxiety disorder may have extreme difficulty being in public or engaging in social situations, which can worsen the problem by exacerbating feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Here are some indicators that it’s time to speak with a mental health professional about your concerns:

• You’ve been experiencing health issues that you think are related to feelings of anxiety.
• Your feelings of anxiousness and panic make it difficult for you to get out of bed or complete important tasks.
• Your anxiety symptoms have had a negative impact on your relationships.
• You are having more difficulty getting enough rest than usual.
• You no longer have much of an appetite or find it difficult to eat even foods you generally enjoy.
• It’s becoming harder for you to focus and stay on task at work or school.
• Your mood is generally negative or you’ve been more irritable than usual.
• Your feelings of anxiety are so overwhelming that you’ve considered harming yourself or someone else.

How to prepare for a discussion with your doctor about anxiety symptoms 

You have your appointment all set up with your doctor — but how should you get ready for it? You could simply mention that you’ve been experiencing anxiety. But your doctor will be able to provide you with more help and guidance if you give more details. 

Below, we’ll walk you through how to prepare to talk about anxiety with your doctor to ensure you get treatment tailored to your needs. 

Identify symptoms you have been experiencing

Consider how anxiety has affected you, and the kind of symptoms you’ve experienced. Make a list of your symptoms to discuss with your doctor — and describe how they’ve affected important areas of your life. For example, you might jot down that you’ve been experiencing shortness of breath when anxiety flares up or trouble focusing on work assignments.

It’s also a good idea to note the frequency of your symptoms. Do you feel them all the time, or maybe just a few times a week? Writing this info down can help your doctor better understand the severity and impact of your anxiety so they can recommend appropriate treatment. 

Understand your triggers 

Think about whether or not certain situations, people, or other factors seem to trigger or worsen your anxiety symptoms. Knowing your triggers and discussing them with your doctor can be helpful, as your doctor may be able to offer suggestions on handling these triggers to help reduce anxiety. 

Think about when and where your symptoms seem to flare up. For students, having tight assignment deadlines might trigger anxiety. Or your symptoms might get worse when interacting with someone that you have ongoing conflicts with, such as a family member or co-worker. 

Take note of your medical history 

Before meeting with your doctor, think about any relevant aspects of your medical history such as:

• If you’ve been treated for anxiety before
• If you have a family history of anxiety
• If you or anyone in your family has been treated for other mental health conditions (or other health conditions in general)

If you already have an established provider, they may already have this information. However, if you’re seeing a new doctor, having notes on your personal and family medical history is important when discussing anxiety. 

If you’ve been treated for anxiety before, your doctor might use this information to help determine the best course of treatment. For example, if medication wasn’t helpful, they might explore other treatments. 

Write down your questions and concerns 

Having a list of questions and concerns helps ensure that all important points are addressed during your visit with your doctor. You can go over this list to help you and your doctor better understand what you’re going through. 

Going over these concerns and questions also helps your doctor determine the best way to help you. We’ll give you some examples of questions you may want to ask in the next section. 

How do I talk to my doctor about anxiety?

It’s completely understandable to feel unsure or nervous before your appointment. However, it’s a big step, and prioritizing your mental health is something to be proud of.

Being prepared with notes and a good understanding of how anxiety affects you is a great place to start. However, here are some tips to keep in mind to help the discussion go as smoothly as possible.

Be open and honest 

Your doctor can’t help you if you’re not honest with them, so it’s crucial to be open about why you’re there and what you’ve been experiencing. They’re not looking to lecture you, and they won’t judge you based on your job or what activities you like to do in your spare time.

Talk about how you’ve been feeling 

Your doctor will want to know what kinds of anxiety symptoms you’ve been having. They’ll also be interested in what triggers these symptoms. You can refer to your list of symptoms and triggers to talk about these with your doctor. 

Remember to discuss how frequently your symptoms occur and how they’re impacting your life. Your doctor will consider this information when deciding on the most effective ways to help you out. 

Prepare a few questions for your doctor 

Asking your doctor questions can help you understand the cycle of anxiety better. Maybe you’re wondering why you’re experiencing it, or maybe you want to know how common it is. Your doctor can provide you with this information. 

You can also ask questions to learn more about treatment options and self-management or self-care for anxiety. Your doctor can give you more info on available treatments that may be effective for you. They can also help you understand how to manage anxiety in your everyday life. 

Questions to ask your doctor about anxiety 

Examples of questions you might want to ask at your appointment include the following:

• What’s causing my anxiety?
• Are there other health conditions that might be causing my symptoms or making them worse?
• Can you share educational resources on anxiety to help me understand it better?
• What can I do at home to help manage my symptoms?
• Do you recommend seeing a mental health professional, like a therapist? 
• What kind of therapy might be helpful?
• Would taking medication help ease my symptoms? If so, what kind?

Express your needs and preferences 

Consider whether there are any cultural factors or personal preferences that might affect the kind of treatment you receive. For example, some people might prefer to give therapy a try before taking medication for mild or moderate anxiety. Others might feel uncomfortable going to therapy due to cultural influences or attitudes. 

Discuss any needs or preferences you have with your doctor to make sure you receive treatment that you’re comfortable with. 

Questions your doctor might ask you

Your doctor will likely have some questions for you, too. Your answers can help give them a better idea of your symptoms and how they manifest throughout the day so they can develop an effective treatment plan for you. Be prepared for questions like:

• What are the major stressors in your life?
• What physical symptoms are you experiencing?
• When did the symptoms start?
• What time of day are your symptoms the most prominent?
• What makes your symptoms worse?
• Is there anything that brings you relief? If so, what?
• Do you drink alcohol or use any kind of drugs? If so, how much and how often?

Treatment and support for anxiety 

Treating anxiety doesn’t involve just one approach — in fact, several options are available. Medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes are just a few of the options used for managing anxiety. 

The right approach for you will depend on your specific situation, including symptoms, triggers, preferences, and other factors. Below, we’ll go through some of the main approaches used for treating anxiety. 

Addressing any underlying health conditions 

Certain health conditions may cause symptoms that are similar to anxiety symptoms. Seeing a doctor means you can have a full workup done to check for underlying conditions. If any are found, your doctor can recommend treatment or refer you to a specialist if needed. 

Counseling or talk therapy 

Therapy or counseling may help you understand what causes anxiety and learn to manage symptoms effectively. Some different types of talk therapy that are used for anxiety disorders include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you understand your thoughts and feelings and challenge intrusive thoughts 
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to help you learn to tolerate distress, such as during anxiety attacks 
• Psychotherapy, which includes CBT, DBT, and other forms of talk therapy, such as art and music therapy, to help you manage stress and anxiety 
• Support groups to help you connect with others who have anxiety online or offline 

Taking medication 

Antidepressants and other medications are sometimes used to treat anxiety symptoms. These include the following:

• Beta-blockers to limit adrenaline production and slow heart rate
• Antidepressants to lift your mood and reduce symptoms
• Anti-anxiety medications, like buspirone, to help reduce symptoms 
• Sleeping medications to improve your sleep
• Antipsychotics to manage extreme or intrusive thoughts 

Ask about potential side effects of any medications your doctor recommends. This helps you understand what to expect. 

Making lifestyle changes 

Your lifestyle — including your diet and activities — can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. Making changes to your lifestyle may help ease anxiety symptoms or reduce their frequency. 

Examples of lifestyle changes your  doctor might recommend include:

• Quitting smoking or using nicotine 
• Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake 
• Reducing your intake of fatty and processed foods
• Increasing your intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats
• Getting 30 minutes of exercise each day 
• Increasing your social support 

These changes might seem simple, but they can have a significant impact on your health and well-being. For example, cardio exercises that help your nervous system manage adrenaline may help with panic attacks. 

Connect with a SonderMind mental health provider today 

Talking with your doctor is a great first step toward getting help for anxiety. They can offer guidance and refer you to a mental health professional as needed. 

Therapy can be an excellent support for anyone experiencing anxiety. The right therapist can help you develop adaptive coping mechanisms for anxiety triggers and recommend specific treatments and exercises that may help with your unique needs.

If you’re ready for therapeutic support, let SonderMind lead the way. SonderMind can quickly and easily connect you with a therapist to help you manage your anxiety effectively.