While psychological treatments are generally the first choice for treating anxiety disorders, medical treatments can also be very helpful.

Antidepressants

Some types of antidepressants can be helpful for the management of anxiety disorders. Research indicates that when people have an anxiety disorder, specific changes occur in the brain's chemicals - serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. Antidepressant medication is designed to correct the imbalance of chemical messages between nerve cells (neurones) in the brain.

The table below provides information about the particular benefits of each type of antidepressant.

Table 1: Direct benefits of antidepressant medications on target symptoms of anxiety

* mild benefits  **moderate benefits 

Antidepressant medication can help rebalance chemicals in the brain and reduce symptoms of anxiety. This can make people feel better, but it doesn't change their personality or make them feel endlessly calm.

Like any other medication, some people who take antidepressants also experience some side effects such as:

• nausea 
• headaches
• sweating
• dizziness
• weight gain
• dry mouth
• sexual problems (e.g. difficulty becoming/staying aroused).

Some of these symptoms are short-lived. However, people taking antidepressants who experience any of these symptoms should tell their doctor as there are ways of minimising these or other side-effects.

Like any medication, the length of time a person takes antidepressants, depends on the severity of their illness and how the person responds to treatment. For some people, antidepressants are needed only for a short time, while for others it may be necessary to take medication on an ongoing basis to manage their condition, just as someone with diabetes would use insulin or someone with asthma would use ventolin.

Antidepressants are safe, effective and not addictive. People sometimes want to stop taking antidepressants quickly because they are concerned they're addictive. This may be because they confuse them with other types of medications (e.g. benzodiazepines, sedatives).

Stopping medication should only be done gradually, on a doctor's recommendation and under supervision.

For more information on antidepressant medication see beyondblue Fact Sheet 11 - Antidepressant medication

For more information click here.

Benzodiazapines

Benzodiazapines reduce tension without causing sleep. Some types of benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam can be effective in treating some types of anxiety disorders. However, benzodiazepines are generally not recommended, especially for long-term use, because they can be addictive.


Where to get help

General Practitioner (GP)

Visiting a doctor who is a General Practitioner (GP) is a good first step in getting help for a mental or physical health problem. Some GPs may manage your mental health themselves, while others may refer you to a specialist such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist.

When would someone need to see a General Practitioner?

• GPs are a first port of call when anything goes wrong with a person's health.
• GPs can start to look at what may be wrong and may either diagnose and treat the person themselves or refer the person to a specialist.
• Continuing to see the same doctor is important. Changing doctors can make it hard for them to get a good sense of a person's medical history. If however, you're not happy with your current doctor, don't be afraid to seek a second opinion.

You can find a GP in your area who has had extra training in mental health by clicking on the Find a Doctor or other Mental Health Practitioner list on the beyondblue website.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical professionals who are specialists in mental illness. Therefore, they can make medical as well as psychological assessments, conduct medical tests and prescribe medication.

When does a person need to see a specialist psychiatrist?

The doctor may suggest the person sees a specialist if: 

• the anxiety is severe 
• the anxiety lasts for a long time or comes back
• the anxiety is associated with a high risk of self-harm
• the anxiety has failed to respond to treatment 
• the doctor feels that s/he doesn't have the appropriate medication or psychological skills required to treat the person effectively.

When would a person with an anxiety disorder need to go to hospital?

These days, most people can live at home while they receive treatment for an anxiety disorder. Occasionally, people will need to go to hospital for treatment if they: 

• have severe symptoms 
• have complicated medical problems 
• are in danger of hurting themselves or others
• need more intensive treatment and monitoring.

Major general public hospitals have psychiatric inpatient units attached to them. To find the nearest local hospital, contact your local council or refer to the White Pages.

When should a Crisis Team be contacted?

These services generally operate 24 hours a day and should be contacted when there is an emergency and a person needs urgent help. Crisis services provide intensive treatment and support, usually in the person's own home. They can be contacted during an emergency if the person doesn't want to go to hospital.

Crisis Teams are attached to psychiatric inpatient units and specialist community health services. To find the nearest local Crisis Team, call your local public hospital or Community Mental Health Service or refer to the White Pages.

For a brief description of where to get treatment see beyondblue Fact sheet 24 - Help for depression under Medicare.