Content
Free Mental Health Assessment
We’ve all been there — getting up the courage to ask your boss for PTO, having a conversation with your partner about properly using a laundry hamper, or telling your parents you don’t want to go study at their alma mater.
Regardless of the nerves that may accompany these types of confrontations, speaking up about your needs is important. After all, we can’t expect others to understand what we want unless we communicate our needs.
When it pertains to your mental health, the conversation is extra important. If you’re experiencing anxiety to the degree that it’s interfering with your everyday life, you may be considering asking your doctor for anxiety medication. And to that, we say, good for you!
Anxiety disorders are very common, with roughly 7 million Americans experiencing varying degrees of anxiety each year. They’re also treatable. So, how do you ask about treatment?
If you’re having anxiety about asking for anxiety medications, don’t sweat the irony. Below you’ll find all the info you need about how anti-anxiety medications work, who prescribes them, and how to talk to your healthcare provider about the best anxiety treatment plan for you.
Content
Step one of getting matched with the right anxiety medication is acknowledging that you need one, so you’re off to a great start.
Next, you need to talk to your doctor.
Depending on your past experiences with healthcare providers or your general relationship with communicating your needs, this might trigger some nerves — and that’s okay.
Being straightforward about your struggles and interest in medication is important for getting the most out of your conversation.
You might say something along the lines of, “I’m struggling with significant anxiety, and I’d like to talk about medication options.” This can be a good place to start.
You can prepare yourself and potentially calm some of your nerves by understanding what to expect at this appointment, during which your provider will probably first ask you to expand on your symptoms, like:
Constant worry about minor matters
Difficulty winding down at the end of the day
Irritability
Lack of energy or fatigue
Feeling restless
Difficulty concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Muscle tension or physical aches and pains
They will probably also ask how you’re coping with these symptoms. This might open a conversation about habits like smoking, drinking, binge eating, or engaging in reckless behaviors.
Addressing any lifestyle habits that aren’t serving you will likely also be a part of your treatment plan.
To be the most prepared for your appointment, it can help to:
Know your family history. Many mental illnesses have a genetic component and can be passed down from family members. Does your mom suffer from depression? Is there a family history of social anxiety? To make the best recommendation, it’s helpful for your provider to have as much context as possible.
Know your medications. Your provider will want to know what other medications you’re taking in case they interact with anti-anxiety meds, so make sure to have the names and dosages ready.
Have a list of questions. Medical appointments are (unfortunately) often brief and hard to schedule, so it’s important to ensure you get everything covered. In the days before your appointment, write down a list of questions so you don’t forget to ask about certain things. Make the list on your phone so you won’t forget to bring it with you.
It’s normal to feel nervous when talking to your provider about a mental health condition. Remember that their job is to help you, not judge you. You’re not saying or asking anything they haven’t heard before, so be honest about your symptoms of anxiety and goals for treatment.
Anxiety medications require a prescription. While there are several routes you can take to get one, there are two main types of healthcare providers who can prescribe anti-anxiety drugs:
Primary healthcare providers
Psychiatrists
Reaching out to your primary healthcare provider (sometimes called primary care physician or PCP) — yes, the same one who does your annual physical — is a great place to start because you already have a relationship with them. They have a record of your medical history, so it might feel less intimidating when opening up.
Psychiatrists are trained in treating mental disorders, whether you’re dealing with social anxiety, panic disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
They’re sometimes confused with psychologists, who tend to look at mental health through the lens of human behavior and usually don’t prescribe medication, whereas psychiatrists are physicians who hone in more on the biological and chemical factors of mental health.
Though psychiatrists are generally the ones known for prescribing medication, in certain states, some psychologists can as well if they have the training.
You might want to consider seeing a psychiatrist if:
You’re having trouble controlling your emotions
Your sleep patterns have shifted
You’re self-medicating with drugs or alcohol
Your work is struggling
You’re less social than usual
Your anxiety is getting worse
As much as we love and advocate for all healthcare providers, it’s not uncommon for in-office appointment scheduling to be challenging.
If you’re interested in connecting with a mental health care provider and want to do so sooner rather than later, the Hers online psychiatry platform can connect you with a licensed provider virtually.
While most licensed healthcare providers can prescribe anxiety medications, in some cases, they may refer you to a mental health specialist for ongoing management.
For more information, check out our guide on who to see for anxiety.
Mental health care and awareness have come a long way, but there’s still sometimes a stigma associated with having anxiety.
We want to acknowledge that your mental health matters, and pursuing treatment is a big deal — it’s a positive step forward in your life, and we’re here for it.
If your anxiety is interfering with your life, medication might be the right choice.
There are many types of anxiety, and your symptoms may look different from someone you know with anxiety.
Resist the urge to self-diagnose your anxiety using Dr. Google (which rarely ends with you feeling better) and, instead, make an appointment to speak with a healthcare professional. They will help identify what kind of anxiety you’re dealing with and the most appropriate treatment.
A common part of treating an anxiety diagnosis is anxiety medication. There are lots of options, and there’s no one-size-fits-all prescription. Each has its own side effects, with some being more difficult to manage than others, and the various types work differently.
We’ve outlined some of the most popular anti-anxiety medications, along with the important things to know about them when discussing them with your doctor.
Antidepressants aren’t just for depression; they’re also frequently prescribed as first-line treatment for anxiety disorders.
These medications target certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, to help boost mood.
The two primary kinds of antidepressants are:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These work by increasing your serotonin levels. Common examples include fluoxetine (Prozac®), citalopram (Celexa®), escitalopram (Lexapro®), and sertraline (Zoloft®).
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): These work similarly to SSRIs, except they also target norepinephrine. Two of the most well-known SNRIs are venlafaxine (Effexor®) and duloxetine (Cymbalta®).
For more details on how these medications work, including their side effects, check out our full list of antidepressants.
Antidepressants may take a few weeks to kick in for your body to feel their effects fully, but benzodiazepines provide immediate relief, which is attractive when your mental health is suffering.
However, while they work quickly, they also pose a higher risk of dependency, so they’re typically prescribed for a shorter period. Paradoxically, they sometimes make anxiety worse if they’re used everyday for an extended period of time.
One older study showed that while there’s still uncertainty about how the brain may be negatively affected by long-time benzodiazepine use, it appears that certain areas can recover after withdrawal.
Some common benzodiazepines you might’ve heard of include alprazolam (Xanax®), clonazepam (Klonopin®), lorazepam (Ativan®), and diazepam (Valium®).
Beta-blockers are used to slow your heart rate down. Though they’re primarily used to treat cardiovascular health conditions like hypertension, they may also be prescribed off-label for anxiety symptoms associated with social anxiety disorder or performance anxiety.
Propranolol (Inderal®) and atenolol (Tenormin®) are the most common beta blockers used for anxiety. They don’t treat the mental feeling of anxiety, but they can do a good job blocking the physical manifestations, such as tremor, sweating, and racing heart. For some people, that’s enough, especially if the anxiety is only present during public presentations or performances.
If antidepressants or benzodiazepines aren’t working for you, your provider might recommend buspirone (BuSpar®). Buspirone, which is an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) drug used to treat GAD.
Buspirone may take longer to improve mood and may not always work as well, but it has fewer side effects than other medications and can be a long-term treatment option.
We’ve only scratched the surface, but our anti-anxiety medication guide can help answer more in-depth questions you may have.
Prioritizing your mental health is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Here are some key steps to take when anxiety or other forms of mental illness are taking a toll on your life:
Ask about medication. If we want something, we have to ask for it. Set up an appointment with your healthcare provider of choice and have that first conversation about medication options. Getting a prescription can be a great first step to prioritizing your mental health when you’re struggling,
Seek therapy. Honestly, we could all benefit from therapy, whether it’s psychotherapy (talk therapy), exposure therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). And if in-person isn’t your thing, online therapy is a great alternative. Medication and therapy go hand-in-hand for treating anxiety.
Practice other forms of self-care. “Self-care” is more than just some buzzword the wellness girlies say. It’s about normalizing mental health and taking daily action to prioritize your needs. This could look like going for nature walks, carving out time to meditate, journaling, or listening to calming music to soothe your nervous system and alleviate anxious thoughts.
We care about your mental health and want to help you get the treatment and support you need. Get connected with one of our licensed mental health professionals by taking our free online assessment.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Doctor of Medicine - New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 1992
Bachelor of Arts - St. John’s College, 1985
Internship & Residency - New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 1996
District of Columbia, 1996
Maryland, 2022
Virginia, 2022
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychiatry, 1997
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Addiction Psychiatry, 1998
Stanford Online, AI in Healthcare Specialization Certificate, 2025
Stanford Online, Machine Learning Specialization Certificate, 2024
Mental Health
33
Professor and Vice Chair - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, 1996–2022
Title: A neurotransmitter approach to the trolley problem
Published in: OBM Neurobiology
Date: 2019
URL: https://www.lidsen.com/journals/neurobiology/neurobiology-03-02-030
Title: An automated internet application to help patients with bipolar disorder track social rhythm stabilization
Published in: Psychiatric Services
Date: 2011
URL: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/ps.62.11.pss6211_1267
Title: Enhancing adherence to mood charting with an online version of the NIMH Life Chart
Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry
Date: 2010
URL: https://annals-general-psychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1744-859X-9-S1-S11
Title: The role of gender in single versus married patients with bipolar disorder
Published in: Comprehensive Psychiatry
Date: 2010
URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010440X0900128X
Title: Evaluation of the stability and validity of participant samples recruited over the Internet
Published in: CyberPsychology and Behavior
Date: 2008
Title: Pathways to change: The effect of a Web application on treatment interest
Published in: The American Journal on Addictions
Date: 2008
URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1080/10550490802138525
Washington Post, Why do passengers freak out on airplanes? Science might have the answer.
Associated Press, MillerCoors Tapping Into Millenials
The Washington Post, Holiday drinking can be hard on your health, but you can take precautions
Le Figaro (France), Daniel Z. Lieberman: «La dopamine nous pousse à acheter en nous promettant le bonheur» (Daniel Z. Lieberman: “Dopamine drives us to buy by promising us happiness”)
Men’s Health (Spain), Cómo la dopamina influye en nuestro cerebro y determina nuestra vida (How dopamine influences our brain and determines our lives).
CNBC, The psychological reason it’s so hard to work today after the riot — and how to cope
Business Insider, The reason why we self-sabotage is because our brains are wired to resist the things we want most in life
U.S. News & World Report, How Your Secrets Can Damage and Maybe Even Kill You
I practice medicine because I believe that mental health is the foundation of a meaningful life. When people suffer psychologically, it touches every part of their existence—from relationships to work to the simple ability to feel joy. Because it can be so difficult for people who are suffering to find good mental health care, my mission has been to expand access through technology, so that no one is left behind.
I like to write in my spare time. I’ve written two nonfiction titles, Spellbound: Modern Science, Ancient Magic, and the Hidden Potential of the Unconscious Mind and the international bestseller, The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity--and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
danielzlieberman.com