How to Get on Anxiety Medication

Is It Easy to Get Prescribed Anxiety Medication?

If you’re trying to figure out how to get anxiety medicine, know that feeling a bit overwhelmed is normal. Thankfully, gaining access to anti-anxiety medication is relatively straightforward. While you will need a prescription from a qualified healthcare provider, there are several ways you can connect with a professional.

Who Can Prescribe Anxiety Medication?

Only licensed medical professionals have the authority to prescribe anxiety medication. That includes:

• Psychiatrists: Medical doctors specializing in mental health who can diagnose conditions and prescribe anxiety medication.
• Primary care physicians (PCPs): Often the first point of contact for patients, your primary care doctor can prescribe anxiety medication and provide initial evaluations.
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners: In many states, these practitioners can prescribe anxiety medication depending on the scope of their practice and state regulations.
• Physician assistants (PAs): Under the supervision of a physician, PAs can also prescribe anxiety medication and assist in the management of mental health conditions.
• Telehealth providers: Licensed professionals providing services via online platforms can prescribe anxiety medication. However, they are subject to state laws.

The Process of Getting Anxiety Medication

The first step in getting on anxiety medication is reaching out to a healthcare professional who can prescribe it. From there, the provider will ask you questions, assess your symptoms, and determine if medication is a suitable form of anxiety treatment.

Here’s what you can expect as you learn how to get on anxiety medication.

Talking to a doctor for a referral

Maybe you’ve been struggling with anxiety and have difficulty managing symptoms alone. If that’s the case, you should tell your primary care physician about your concerns. Be sure to give them specific examples of your symptoms, and explain how they’ve been interfering with your daily life. For example, because of a severe anxiety attack or panic attack, you had to miss out on your little sister’s soccer match that she was excited to see you at.  

There are several types of anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

As a result, telling your primary care physician more about your mental and physical symptoms can help them determine the best treatment option(s) to help you. In addition to learning about how you feel, they’ll also want to know about your medical and family history. If other family members have received treatment for anxiety, be sure to let your doctor know.

A doctor can prescribe anti-anxiety medication or refer you to another professional who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. Even though it might feel scary, it’s important you share your symptoms so you can get the necessary prescription medication and care.

Connecting with a psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a healthcare provider who specializes in treating mental health conditions. Not only do they prescribe medication, but they can also give you a diagnosis and suggest talk therapy and other interventions.

If you’re unsure where to find a psychiatrist or don’t know how to get prescribed anxiety medication, Talkspace can help. At Talkspace, you can get prescription medication and access to quality care from the comfort of your own home. Finding treatment for anxiety can be difficult, but Talkspace makes the process easy. All you need to do is fill out a brief assessment, and we’ll match you with a licensed psychiatric clinician.

Going through a psychiatric evaluation

A psych evaluation is designed to give your healthcare provider a clearer picture of your mental state. During your assessment, a psychiatrist will ask questions and gather information so they can determine the best anxiety treatment option for you.

Your first appointment with a psychiatrist will likely be an evaluation and may include the following:

• Consent and authorization forms: Before your evaluation, you’ll sign forms providing consent for treatment. These will allow your provider to access your medical and medication records to learn more about your history.
• Risk assessment: During the evaluation, your provider will see if you need immediate interventions or treatment.
• Interview: A psychiatrist will ask basic and detailed questions so they can fully understand your symptoms. In the interview, they’ll ask about your background and your personal life.
• Self-evaluation: You may also need to complete a written test or questionnaire. The results of this test can aid in your assessment.
• Additional tests: If needed, your psychiatrist may ask you to undergo further tests. For example, they may conduct memory or cognitive aptitude tests or order blood work to rule out other health conditions that can cause anxiety.

Discussing medication with your psychiatrist

An essential part of figuring out how to get on anxiety medication is bringing up the topic in the first place. After your evaluation, you can ask your psychiatrist if they believe that medication is right for you. Asking additional questions will give you a better idea of what to expect if you decide to start any meds.

While medications can be highly beneficial, they can also cause side effects. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), frequently used to treat anxiety, can cause mild side effects, including dry mouth or changes in appetite. Having an open conversation about possible side effects will help you decide if the benefits outweigh the risk.

You should also ask how long it can take to see results. Medication can reduce the severity of anxiety symptoms, but it isn’t an instant fix. For some patients, seeing a noticeable difference in symptoms can take a few weeks.

Getting your treatment plan

After you’ve met with your psychiatrist and completed an assessment, they’ll be able to create a personalized treatment plan. Your treatment plan is a document that describes your condition, identifies goals for improvement, and outlines treatments that’ll be used to help you. Your psychiatrist will ask you questions and ask for your input so they can create the plan that best meets your needs.

Be aware that even if your focus is on figuring out how to get anxiety meds, your treatment plan may recommend other forms of treatment as well. It’s common to treat anxiety with both psychological therapy and medication.

Above all, remember that any treatment plan is for your benefit, so you should feel free to ask questions and discuss the plan with your care team. Find out why a doctor is making any recommendations and how they’ll measure your progress. Over time, treatment plans will be updated to better serve your needs.

Find Anxiety Medication with Talkspace Psychiatry

Anxiety can significantly impact day-to-day life. Thankfully, treatments like medication and therapy for anxiety can improve symptoms and quality of life. If you’re unsure how to get on anxiety medication, Talkspace can help. Our board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can offer expert, personalized care for anxiety diagnosis and medication management.

With Talkspace, it’s easy to get access to the care you need. The flexibility of online psychological treatment meets you when, where, and how you need. Talkspace makes finding a therapist online a stress-free process, that way you can get started with treatment right away from your own home. If anxiety interferes with your life, don’t hesitate to reach out today.