Employee Resources
Getting Help for an Anxiety Disorder
Getting Help
If you think you have an anxiety disorder:
- Contact your family physician or a psychiatrist. This is strongly advised because anxiety disorders often coexist with other medical conditions, such as depression, substance use disorders and eating disorders. Only psychiatrists or other physicians can prescribe medications; psychiatrists are also specially trained to diagnose different types of anxiety disorders.
Or
- Find out if your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAPs can provide you with access to mental health professionals. These programs are confidential and often free or inexpensive.
Treatment
After a specific diagnosis is made, anxiety disorders can be successfully treated with medications and/or psychotherapy (“talk” therapy). The most common medications prescribed for anxiety are antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and beta-blockers. The most common psychotherapies used are cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Before taking medication for an anxiety disorder:
- Ask about side effects, how long it takes for the drug to work and how the medication will be stopped. Stopping some medications suddenly can lead to a serious medical problem.
- Tell your doctor about all prescription drugs and any alternative therapies or over-the-counter medications you are using.
It is important that you feel comfortable with the therapy suggested.
If you are not, make your concerns known and seek help elsewhere if necessary. Youare a vital part of your recovery.
Information taken from the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, Anxiety Brochure. Click here to download the brochure. We would be happy to send your office fifty brochures, free of charge. Please contact us for more information.