How can anxiety be treated?

A.  Anxiety disorders are one of the more common mental health problems in the modern world. They can present with varied symptomatology and very many times be present along with depressive disorders. What is also important to note is that all medications can have some or the other side effects - not necessarily all individuals develop all the side effects or even of similar severity. Depression either could have been present along with the depressive symptoms or has developed later on or sometimes some kind of depressive symptoms can result as a side effect of certain medications like Propranolol. However the key is recognising and managing the side effects rather than panicking and stopping the medications until unless the side effects are really severe/ unbearable or the side effects are more than the positive effects. There are certain key rules for medication intake:

1. All medications should be taken under the expert advice of a doctor.
2. Potential side effects should be discussed with the doctor.
3. If side effects develop - or become severe there should be a consultation with the doctor.
4. Medications should be taken as prescribed rather than as and when there is mood to take them
5. Regularity of medication intake can make the difference in positive response or poor response.

For anxiety disorders we need to realise that the best management strategy would be to take medications as well as undergo behaviour therapy or cognitive behaviour therapy as recommended. Please discuss these concerns at length with your treating psychiatrist and do not hesitate (if required) to take a second opinion from another psychiatrist.