Can online doctors prescribe anxiety medication?

The answer is yes. An online psychiatrist is authorized to prescribe medication. However, they must be licensed in your state. Remember that not everyone with an anxiety disorder needs medication. There are some situations where medications are especially needed and effective.

Of course, feeling stressed is a natural part of life. It happens to everyone. However, when the stress level reaches a critical point and starts to have a serious impact on your physical and mental health, it is called anxiety. This anxiety is a type of medical condition.

Imagine anxiety as a "malfunctioning car alarm" in your mind. It goes off occasionally, often without any real danger. It's so loud that it's hard to focus on anything else. No matter how hard you try, you don't have the option to turn it off. People around you can't hear it, but for you, it's too loud. It drains your batteries, making you tired. You're constantly on edge, waiting for the next false alarm. Sometimes, you avoid driving for fear of it going off.

Therefore, this internal alarm system, which is constantly present in your daily life, relationships, academic/professional life, and overall health, sometimes requires professional anxiety treatment (i.e., telehealth for anxiety treatment) to properly heal and manage effectively.

Telehealth for Anxiety Medication

In recent years, the rise of telemedicine has made it much easier for us to get help (and that too from the comfort of our own homes). The best benefits of having telehealth for anxiety treatment are that it has become more popular and readily available than ever before. Regardless of your geographic location or season, you can access timely professional mental health care without any physical contact, and you don’t even have to leave your house. Telehealth for anxiety treatment can be a very convenient source of mental health support.

But can online doctors prescribe anxiety medications? If so, when and how do they do it? Let’s explore the process of telehealth for anxiety medication queries in detail.

How to get a prescription for anxiety medication?

No medical doctor will simply hand you a pill in case you ask for one. Typically, in anxiety situations, medication may be necessary, as prescribed by a mental health professional, if you are experiencing symptoms, such as:

• Excessive, uncontrollable worry
• Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling
• Panic attacks
• Avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations
• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping due to anxiety
• Anxiety that persists for months
• Having suicidal thoughts

The most important thing is that an anxiety specialist often conducts a thorough examination before beginning treatment. This entire treatment process of telehealth for anxiety usually includes:

• Symptoms assessment: Anxiety symptoms intensity, their duration, and it’s impact on your everyday life and daily day-to-day activities.
• Medical evaluation: This will involve a physical exam (e.g., thyroid disorder, anemia, nutritional deficiency, etc.) and a thorough questioning about your medical history. They will also inquire about any medications you might be taking and whether there is a history of anxiety disorders in your family.
• Personalized treatment plan: Plans often involve therapy, lifestyle changes, medication (if needed), and a more integrative approach. Medications can help with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.

Best Prescription for Anxiety

Every class of medication (such as SSRIs, SNRIs, Tricyclic Antidepressants, Serotonin modulators, Atypical antidepressants, Dopamine reuptake inhibitors, and Other medications as an adjunct to anxiety medication like Mood stabilizers, Antipsychotics, Anxiolytics) is used to treat anxiety.

These medication serves a different role in the treatment and affect different neurotransmitters in the brain with varying benefits. For example:

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors):

This medicine is the most commonly listed medicine for the treatment of anxiety. Its functional mechanism is based on the increase of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which has a significant impact on mood and emotions by exerting a calming effect.

SNRIs (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors):

SSRIs have mechanisms that are similar to SNRIs. SNRIs work by increasing the level of important neurotransmitters in the brain, like serotonin and norepinephrine, to aid in mood regulation and anxiety control. Chronic pain and ADHD are treated off-label with these medicines. Many prefer SNRIs over SSRIs since they have fewer weight gain and sexual function negative effects.

Tricyclic Antidepressants:

Among the very first antidepressants developed to treat depression, TCAs are still used when other medications (e.g., SSRIs) fail to work. This is especially effective in cases of treatment-resistant depression.

Serotonin Modulators:

These medicines alter the activity of serotonin receptors and are given when the SSRIs do not work.

Note: Anxiety medication is a more effective way to control symptoms, along with talk therapy, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

Important Considerations

Taking medication for anxiety is effective, but it is not a cure for the problem. Anxiety medication works best when combined with talk therapy, exercise, and lifestyle changes. There are a few important things you should keep in mind to ensure safety and proper treatment of your condition:

• Follow up on basic lifestyle (such as eating a balanced diet, being physically active, sleep hygiene, etc.) to enhance the efficiency of anxiety treatment.
• Never stop taking medication in a rush without talking to your doctor, as your body's tolerance to the drug is very high, so the dose has to be reduced gradually.
• When you start taking the medication, follow-up consultations via telehealth for anxiety are required to monitor the medication's impact and side effects, and to adjust the dose if needed.

Am I Weak for Needing Medication? I Don't Want to Take Medication!

This is a common thought of many. Think of it this way: if you had diabetes, would you refuse to take diabetes medications?

Just like diabetes medications help regulate blood sugar levels, anxiety medications help manage imbalances in neurotransmitters. Anxiety medication helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, normalize brain functioning, and restore emotional balance.

You may be wondering if anxiety medication will cause side effects, cause addiction, or lower my self-confidence. These concerns are valid, and it's worth discussing them with your doctor.

Moreover, it's not just about relying on pills. It's about using all the options that are necessary to fight anxiety and live a fulfilling life free from it. Medications are just a part of the treatment based on your condition severity, along with other personalized anxiety treatment plans.

Remember that medication takes time to work. You may feel like a failure and think, "This isn't working. Nothing will help. I'm just heading toward addiction and becoming dependent on it." Don't overthink and consult your doctor promptly regarding your worries. Anxiety medication can take weeks to months to work, and sometimes you may need a different medication or a different dosage.

For more information about anxiety medication, visit https://gabapsychiatrist.com/anxiety-treatment/

Take the first step toward peace of mind with our expert telehealth for anxiety treatment and compassionate care. Start your journey to an anxiety-free life today.