Anxiety Disorder: Treatment, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Online Care

At Talkiatry, we know that navigating mental health can feel overwhelming. Our mission is to make it easier—starting with information you can trust. As a national mental health practice with over 600 psychiatrists and other providers, we combine clinical excellence with real-world understanding to deliver incredible care and reliable information. This article has been medically reviewed by the same doctors who treat our patients every day, ensuring it meets the highest standards. Whether you’re seeking care now or simply looking to learn more, we’re here to help.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting about 1 in 3 adults at some point in their lives. They’re also highly treatable. Through support and tools like medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, many people learn to manage their symptoms and find balance.

What are anxiety disorders?

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time—it’s a natural response to stress. But when anxious thoughts become frequent, overwhelming, or out of proportion to what’s happening around you, it may indicate an anxiety disorder. 

Anxiety disorders go beyond everyday worry and affect how you think, feel, and function. They can cause both mental and physical symptoms, including racing thoughts, muscle tension, and sleep problems. You might find yourself avoiding certain situations altogether out of fear or discomfort. 

Like many mental health conditions, anxiety exists on a spectrum. Some people experience mild but persistent worry that makes daily life harder to enjoy. Others have more severe symptoms, like panic attacks or constant hypervigilance, that make it difficult to manage work, relationships, or basic routines. 

Anxiety disorders can be distressing, but they’re also highly treatable. If you’re struggling, know that help is available. Getting the right support can make a big difference in how you feel and function day to day.

Types of anxiety disorders

There are many types of anxiety disorders, each with its own symptoms and/or triggers: 

• Generalized anxiety disorder is a condition where you feel excessive or persistent worry nearly every day, often about ordinary, routine things. For people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), worry is out of proportion to the actual situation, may feel impossible to control, and interferes with your ability to get things done and take care of yourself. 
• Social anxiety disorder, which used to be called social phobia, is a condition where you feel excessive anxiety and self-consciousness about everyday social situations. You may avoid social situations entirely out of a fear of being embarrassed, judged, or viewed negatively by others. 
• Panic disorder causes repeated attacks of extreme anxiety and terror, known as panic attacks, which tend to peak within minutes but can last up to 20 minutes or for hours. They usually involve feelings of impending doom, heart palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Panic attacks may be triggered by a specific event or they may start randomly. 
• Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where you feel excessive worry or fear about being separated from the person or people you’re closest to. You may feel great distress that these people will be hurt or not come back to you when you are apart. This condition often starts in childhood, but can persist through adulthood. 
• Specific phobias are excessive fears about a specific object, situation, or activity that’s generally not harmful. These phobias may even cause panic attacks. Common phobias include flying, blood, injections, specific animals or insects, or public speaking. 
• Agoraphobia is a condition where you avoid situations or places where you might feel trapped, or where escape might be impossible or embarrassing. People with agoraphobia may have extreme aversions to public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, crowds, or being outside of the home. 

Signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders

The symptoms of anxiety are both mental and physical. Some of the most common symptoms include: 

• Feelings of nervousness or restlessness
• A sense of impending danger or doom
• Trouble focusing on anything but your worry or fear
• Being unable to control your worry
• Rapid or increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing or hyperventilation
• Sweating and shaking
• Trouble sleeping
• Nausea or stomach problems 
• Muscle tension 
• Fatigue 

Depending on your specific type of anxiety, you may experience different combinations of these symptoms. For example, a sense of doom, shortness of breath, and increased heart rate are common symptoms of panic disorder, while trouble sleeping and restlessness are common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. 

Want to understand how anxiety compares to other common mental health challenges? Learn about the difference between depression and anxiety. 

What causes anxiety?

We don’t know exactly what causes anxiety disorders, but there are a few things that can increase your chances of developing one. Genetics may play a part and anxiety disorders often run in families. 

Sometimes anxiety can be caused by other medical conditions. For example, anxiety can be a symptom of thyroid problems, respiratory problems, or drug withdrawal. It can also be a side effect of certain medications. If you don’t have any blood relatives with anxiety, and your anxiety appeared suddenly, without any previous history, your anxiety may have a medical cause. In this case, it’s a good idea to see your primary care doctor for an evaluation to rule out an underlying medical condition. 

Additional risk factors for anxiety include: 

• Experiencing trauma, especially in childhood
• Stressful events, like the loss of a loved one or a serious illness
• Drug or alcohol use
• Having other mental health conditions

How a psychiatrist can help

Psychiatric care isn’t just about easing symptoms—it’s about understanding what’s behind them. When anxiety starts interfering with your daily life, a psychiatrist can help you unpack what’s contributing to it and figure out what kind of care might help. 

Together, you’ll build a treatment plan that aligns with your needs and comfort level. That might mean exploring therapy, medication, practical tools for managing stress, or a combination. 

Care doesn’t end after your first appointment. Your psychiatrist will stay in the loop, following your progress and updating your treatment as things change. It’s a flexible, collaborative process focused on helping you find lasting relief. 

Anxiety disorder diagnosis

There’s no single test that can diagnose an anxiety disorder. Instead, a qualified mental health professional, like a psychiatrist, will make a diagnosis based on your reported symptoms, their clinical observations, and criteria from a diagnostic guide called the DSM-5. 

The process often begins with a brief screening tool, typically the GAD-7, which asks a series of questions about how often you've experienced common anxiety symptoms. Your provider may also recommend a physical exam or lab tests to rule out medical conditions that can sometimes mimic or contribute to anxiety symptoms, such as thyroid issues or vitamin deficiencies.

Psychiatry vs therapy

Psychiatry focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, which may involve medication. Therapy, on the other hand, helps someone process experiences, develop their coping skills, and work toward deeper healing. 

Both can be effective tools for treating anxiety, but the approach may vary based on the severity and type of anxiety disorder. You don’t have to choose between them. Many people find that combining both approaches offers a more comprehensive way to manage symptoms and maintain stability.

Anxiety disorder treatment options

Anxiety is highly treatable. Many people find that with the right support—whether that’s medication, therapy, or a combination of both—they’re able to manage symptoms and move through daily life with more confidence and ease.

Medication management

For some people, medication can play a helpful role in reducing anxiety symptoms. The right treatment depends on your symptoms, health history, and preferences. Your psychiatrist will work with you to find what works best for you. Common types of anxiety medications include: 

• SSRIs
• SNRIs
• Buspar
• Short-term options like benzodiazepines, beta blockers, or hydroxyzine 

Not everyone needs medication, and not every medication works the same for everyone. Your provider will help you decide what’s right for your treatment plan. If you’re considering starting medication for anxiety, here’s a closer look at how treatment works.

Therapy

Talk therapy is a powerful tool for managing anxiety. It’s often combined with medication, but it can also be effective on its own for many people. These are some common therapy approaches for anxiety: 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A proven approach that helps you recognize thoughts or behaviors that cause anxiety and develop new ways of thinking or acting
• Exposure therapy: A form of CBT that helps you gradually engage with activities or triggers you may be avoiding, so they become less overwhelming over time 

Online anxiety disorder treatment: How Talkiatry can help

At Talkiatry, we make it easy to get high-quality anxiety treatment from home. You’ll meet virtually with a psychiatrist for a 60-minute evaluation and work together to create a care plan that fits your needs. Ongoing treatment includes regular follow-up visits to track your progress and make adjustments as needed. 

Our providers are highly trained in treating anxiety disorders, and we’ll match you with someone whose approach aligns with your goals. Getting started only takes about 10 minutes.