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How To Treat Anxiety

By Mosh
Treat Mental Health
5 min read
Medically reviewed by:

Key Takeaways

Anxiety is characterised by uneasiness, worry, or fear, often accompanied by physical symptoms, with anxiety disorders extending beyond normal stress levels. Treatments vary based on severity, with milder cases managed through self-help measures, while severe forms may require medical interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies, along with medication although non-medical approaches like therapy and self-care also play a crucial role in anxiety management. To address any concerns that you may have, it is advisable to consult with a  mental health professional to receive proper advice and treatment depending on your specific situation.

Are you trying to learn how to treat anxiety? Anxiety is a common mental health disorder that affects one out of six Australians.[1] It can make you feel like you are constantly on edge or like the world is closing in on you. This can make it hard to do your job, go to school, or even leave the house. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help treat anxiety and feel better.

Mosh connects you with AHPRA-registered doctors that can help you with whatever you need to know about how to treat anxiety. We provide a safe space where you can confidentially ask them anything about how to calm anxiety attack and what helps with anxiety through SMS, chat, or video call.

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What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness, worry, or fear that is often accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart and shakiness. It is normal to feel anxious if you have an important meeting or exam coming up, but anxiety disorders go beyond normal levels of worry or stress, and often have no clear reason.[2] 

Anxiety disorders are a group of conditions that cause severe, uncontrollable worry. They also cause physical symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and chest pain. If you are suffering from an anxiety disorder, it can be hard to do things you normally enjoy or go about your day-to-day life.[3]

What are some of the most common treatments for anxiety?

There are a number of answers for ‘How to treat anxiety?’ depending on the severity and type. For milder types of anxiety, natural self-help measures such as relaxation techniques, exercise, and healthy lifestyle changes may be enough to manage the symptoms.[4] 

However, for more severe forms of anxiety, medical treatments may be necessary. Common psychological therapy methods includes cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies. 

CBT focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviours that contribute to anxiety. It is based on the idea that our thoughts and behaviours are interconnected. When we have negative thoughts, it can lead to negative actions, which in turn can make us feel more anxious.[5] Because of this, CBT helps people learn how to manage their thought patterns and change their behaviour to reduce anxiety symptoms.

Exposure therapy is one type of CBT strategy that involves gradually exposing the individual to the situations or objects that trigger their anxiety in a safe, controlled environment. The goal is to reduce fear by confronting what causes it. This can help people learn to cope with their triggers and eventually overcome them and function in the face of them.[6]

Mindfulness-based therapies focus on helping the individual learn to be mindful of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It involves bringing awareness to what is happening in the present moment without judgment or evaluation. This can help them to deal with symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders.[7]

When it comes to understanding how to treat anxiety symptoms, medication is another option to consider. There are many different types of medications that can be prescribed, but the suitability varies from person to person. It’s best to discuss it with your Mosh doctor before taking any medicines, since only they can determine if it is the best treatment based on the severity of the symptoms.

What medications are used for treating symptoms of anxiety?

In terms of how to treat anxiety, there are several types of medications that can be used to treat the symptoms. Some medications work quickly, while others may take some time before taking noticeable effect. Each type has its own risks, benefits and side effects, so it is important to discuss these with your doctor before starting any treatment.

A common treatment for anxiety disorders is antidepressants. Commonly prescribed antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). They work by correcting the chemical imbalance in the brain that is thought to contribute to anxiety.[8]

Benzodiazepines can be helpful in reducing symptoms of anxiety in the short term but are not recommended for long-term use because of their sedative effect. They may also cause tolerance, meaning that you’ll need more of the drug over time to get the same effect.[9]

We will handle the discreet delivery of any medication for anxiety if it is prescribed by your Mosh doctor, and you can arrange for a refill of your medications by signing up for our subscription service. After the first, third and sixth months – and every six months thereafter – you can check back in with your doctor to discuss how you are doing and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment.

Can anxiety be treated without any medication?

There are many different types of anxiety disorders, each with unique symptoms. 

Anxiety can be treated in a number of ways that do not involve medication. As discussed above, some people find that anxiety therapy, self-care, or psychological treatments help them manage their anxiety, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach to how to treat anxiety.

You may be prescribed therapy by your Mosh doctor if appropriate for your situation, where you can speak online with a therapist in a confidential session. Your doctor may determine that combining these approaches with medication is the most appropriate course of action to maximise results, but you are not obligated to follow any treatment plan unless you are comfortable with it.

It may take some trial and error before you and your doctor settle on the right combination of medication for your specific needs, but this is just part of the treatment process. There is nothing wrong with taking medication for anxiety, and there are many people who find that it is an effective way to manage their symptoms.

Mosh: A Telehealth Platform That’s There for You

Mosh takes great pride in normalising health issues like mental health, sexual health, skin care, hair loss, weight loss, and more. We believe that all health issues should be treated with the same level of care and respect, regardless of whether or not they are considered socially taboo. We offer online consultations with doctors and discreet shipping of medication, if applicable, to anywhere you are in Australia.

During your consultation, your doctor can point you towards a variety of techniques for relieving stress and anxious feelings. You may want to ask about social anxiety, what causes anxiety, and what is the best medication for anxiety. Rest assured that anything you talk about with them will be kept confidential. 

If you are struggling to figure out how to treat anxiety by yourself, you do not have to go through it alone; we are here to help whenever you are ready.


9 References

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Mental health

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