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Telehealth care is available in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, and New York. You must be in your selected state during the visit.
For general educational purposes only, not a substitute for specific medical advice. Consult with a licensed provider before implementing any adjustments to your treatment regimen.
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons adults look for mental health care, and many people would rather start that conversation from home. Telehealth can be a good way to be evaluated and treated for anxiety. It helps to know what an online visit involves, which treatments are commonly used and where the limits are.
When Worry Becomes Something to Treat
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. Anxiety may be worth an evaluation when it is persistent, hard to control or starts to interfere with sleep, work, relationships or everyday activities. Physical symptoms are common too, including a racing heart, muscle tension, stomach upset, headaches and trouble sleeping.
Anxiety can take different forms, such as generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety or anxiety tied to a specific stressor. Identifying the pattern helps guide treatment.
What Happens at an Online Anxiety Visit
A first visit is a conversation, not a quick prescription request. Expect questions about:
- What you are feeling, how long it has been going on and what makes it better or worse
- Sleep, caffeine, alcohol and other substances
- Medical conditions and current medications, since thyroid problems, some medications and other health issues can cause or worsen anxiety
- Past treatment, including what helped and what caused side effects
- Mood, safety and any history of depression, trauma or bipolar disorder
Short questionnaires may be used to measure symptoms and track progress over time. Lab tests are sometimes ordered when a medical cause needs to be ruled out.
Medications Commonly Used for Anxiety
When medication is appropriate, the options most often used for long-term anxiety treatment are not controlled substances. They include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are also used for depression. Buspirone is another option for generalized anxiety. Some other medications may be used for specific situations.
These medications usually take several weeks to show their full effect, and the starting dose may be adjusted at follow-up visits. Antidepressants carry an FDA boxed warning about a possible increase in suicidal thoughts in some children, teens and young adults, so new or worsening mood symptoms should be reported right away.
What About Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are controlled medications that can relieve anxiety quickly, but they carry risks of dependence, withdrawal, drowsiness and dangerous interactions with alcohol and opioids. They are generally not a first-choice long-term treatment for anxiety disorders.
Whether any controlled medication is appropriate depends on the evaluation, your history and federal and state prescribing rules. Scheduling a visit does not guarantee a specific medication.
Therapy and Other Parts of the Plan
Medication is only one tool. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the best-studied treatments for anxiety and can be used alone or alongside medication. A plan may also include a therapy referral, sleep changes, cutting back on caffeine or alcohol, regular physical activity and treatment of related conditions. With your permission, your prescriber can coordinate with a therapist you already see.
When Telehealth Is Not the Right Fit
Telehealth is not a crisis service. If you are thinking about harming yourself or someone else, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Chest pain, fainting or severe shortness of breath should also be evaluated in person right away, even if you think anxiety is the cause.
The Short Answer
Yes, many people can be evaluated and treated for anxiety online, including with prescription medication when it is appropriate. A good plan starts with a full evaluation, uses treatments with strong evidence and includes follow-up to make sure it is working.
Learn more on our online mental health care page.
Get Support
Wade’s Care First provides telehealth care in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada and New York, with same-day appointments when available. Visits are with Charles Wade, FNP-BC, a board-certified family nurse practitioner.
We accept many major insurance plans, including Original Medicare (Indiana only), Medicaid (Indiana and Illinois only), UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana and Cigna. Plan participation varies by state, and self-pay visits are available.
If anxiety is affecting your sleep, work or relationships, you do not have to wait for it to get worse to ask for help.
Book at wadescarefirst.com.
Answers connected to this topic.
How can I tell whether worry has become an anxiety disorder?
Worry may warrant assessment when it is persistent, difficult to control or interferes with sleep, relationships or everyday activities.
How long does it take for an antidepressant to help?
Some symptoms may begin to improve within a few weeks, but full response can take longer. Timing varies by medication and individual, and follow-up is important.
What should I do if a mental health medication causes side effects?
Contact the practice for guidance. Do not stop a prescribed medicine abruptly without advice unless urgent symptoms require emergency treatment.
Further reading: nimh.nih.gov · nimh.nih.gov (medications).
