Anxiety Conditions

Anxiety presents differently across individuals—even within the same diagnosis. Generalized anxiety involves persistent, disproportionate worry; social anxiety centers on fear of judgment; specific phobias trigger acute fear toward defined stimuli. We assess the frequency, duration, and functional impact of symptoms to determine whether they meet diagnostic thresholds and guide target outcomes for care.

We avoid defaulting to benzodiazepines due to dependency risks and limited long-term benefit, and instead emphasize evidence-based first-line approaches. Instead, we favor evidence-based first-line approaches like SSRIs or SNRIs for broader anxiety disorders, with careful titration to minimize initial side effects. For situational anxiety, situational use of medications (e.g., beta-blockers for performance anxiety) is considered only after non-pharmacological strategies are tried or deemed insufficient.

Medication works best alongside strategies that support nervous system regulation—like paced breathing, structured exposure, or sleep hygiene. We incorporate these into treatment planning from the start. If you're already doing therapy, we coordinate with your provider to align goals. This integrated approach helps you build resilience beyond acute symptom relief.