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How To Get Diagnosed with Anxiety Online

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. However, if left untreated, anxiety can make daily activities difficult or even impossible. Thankfully, seeking help for anxiety has become easier than ever, thanks to online healthcare services. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can get an anxiety diagnosis through an online provider and how that process works. Read on to learn more about anxiety and telehealth to decide if that approach is right for you.

Understanding Anxiety

When starting your mental healthcare journey, it can help to have a better understanding of anxiety and what causes the condition.

Anxiety is more than just an occasional feeling of stress or nervousness. Those with anxiety deal with a persistent state of worry or fear in their daily life — often around daily tasks and activities that wouldn’t typically warrant that level of stress. Anxiety can be characterized by both physical and mental symptoms, which we’ll touch on more in a bit. First, let’s take a look at some of the causes of anxiety.

What Are the Causes?

Anxiety can have various causes, and understanding the root causes of your anxiety may help with treatment. Here are some common causes of anxiety:

  • Chronic medical conditions 
  • Side effects of certain medications
  • Past trauma
  • Build up of stress in everyday life
  • Substance abuse or withdrawals from substance abuse
  • Other mental health disorders
  • Family history of anxiety

Anxiety can also worsen the symptoms of other conditions, such as other mental health disorders, sleep disorders and more. Recognizing the underlying causes of anxiety allows your health care provider to personalize your treatment plan further and help address the issues that may be affecting your mental health.

What Are the Symptoms?

Anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways, both physically and psychologically. Here are some of the common symptoms you may experience:

Common physical symptoms include:

  • Racing heart
  • Rapid breathing
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Fatigue
  • GI issues
  • Feeling tense

Common psychological symptoms include:

  • Excessive worrying or nervousness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Restlessness
  • Difficulty regulating mood

It's important to note that symptoms can vary from person to person, and some individuals may experience more severe symptoms than others. Still, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to bring it up to your primary care provider.

The Importance of Diagnosis

It’s essential to get an official diagnosis to manage your anxiety symptoms. By getting a diagnosis from your health care provider, you can start treatment and begin reducing your anxiety symptoms as soon as possible. A diagnosis will allow your health care provider to develop a treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs, giving you access to the proper resources and support for your condition. Furthermore, a comprehensive diagnosis will allow your provider to rule out any other underlying conditions that may be contributing to or worsening your anxiety.

Also, getting diagnosed can provide validation and help you feel less isolated about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Remember, when it comes to mental health, there is always help available. Getting a diagnosis is the first step toward finding relief and getting the help you need.

Talk To an Anxiety Doctor Virtually To Get an Answer

When you have anxiety, even going to an in-person clinic to get help for your condition may seem intimidating. Fortunately, you can now talk to a primary care provider virtually through telehealth services. Thanks to providers like Circle Medical, you can get anxiety care from the comfort of your own home.

With that in mind, here are some of the different virtual resources available for anxiety.

Self-Assessment Tools

If you’re interested in seeing if your symptoms line up with anxiety before getting an official diagnosis, you can always try self-assessment tools. There are many online resources for you to understand anxiety symptoms better and assess your mental health. These often come in the form of questionnaires that can give you some general insights into your symptoms. 

However, it’s important to remember that self-assessment tools are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. While these tools can be easily accessible and educational, it’s still a good idea to speak with a medical professional if you suspect you have anxiety or any other mental health disorder.

Research and Preparation

Of course, the Internet is also a massive library of resources for you to research anxiety and prepare for what to expect in your appointment. Keep in mind that the number of online resources can also be a negative. It’s important to gather your information from reputable online resources.

It can also be helpful to look at other people’s experiences with anxiety and online anxiety care. There are numerous forums and review sites available to give you more insight into these processes. Research and preparation ahead of your appointment can also help alleviate any anxiety you might have around the meeting, allowing you to approach the process as ready and stress-free as possible.

Finding the Right Health Care Provider for You

Once you’ve decided to pursue online healthcare for anxiety, it’s time to find the right health care provider for you. It’s a good idea to do some more research and take your time to find someone who is the right fit. Make sure to choose a primary care clinic that has experience with anxiety and treating mental health concerns.

Options like Circle Medical offer primary care services for a variety of conditions, including anxiety. Circle Medical also offers both in-person and online care, making it easy to choose the care option you’re most comfortable with. Remember, you are your own advocate when it comes to receiving care. Never hesitate to ask questions, and don’t hesitate to switch providers if you feel uncomfortable or that your quality of care isn’t up to your standards.

The Diagnostic Process

After making your initial appointment for online anxiety care, you may be wondering what the upcoming diagnosis process will involve. Depending on the health care provider you choose, the process may vary, but it generally will have similar steps. These steps may include:

  • Initial assessment — Your health care provider will ask you a series of questions about your symptoms, your medical history and your experiences with anxiety.
  • Ruling out other conditions — Your provider will want to rule out other conditions that may be contributing to your anxiety. This may include requesting previous medical records or ordering blood work.
  • Diagnosis — Depending on your assessment and the results of any tests, your provider will make a formal diagnosis. If you have anxiety, they will begin developing your treatment plan.
  • Referrals — In some cases, your provider may determine your condition is better handled by a psychiatrist. In this case, they can provide psychiatry resources for you to help coordinate your care.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for anxiety can vary on an individual basis and typically depend on the severity of the symptoms. Some common anxiety treatments include:

  • Therapy — Therapy can provide a safe space to talk about the worries you’re feeling and also give the patient coping strategies for dealing with negative thought patterns and feelings.
  • Lifestyle changes — Often, certain lifestyle changes can help reduce or manage the symptoms of anxiety. These changes may include diet, exercise, getting better sleep, practicing self-care and engaging in relaxation techniques like breathing exercises or meditation.
  • Medication — If deemed medically appropriate, your primary care provider may recommend anti-anxiety medications as part of your treatment plan.

Typically, a combination of these treatments is best for addressing the symptoms of anxiety. It’s important to talk to your primary care provider to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs.

Support Resources

Finally, finding support can also help manage your anxiety. There are numerous online platforms, forums and support groups specifically dedicated to providing help and guidance for those dealing with anxiety. These provide safe spaces for you to share your experience, see other people’s experiences and get some advice for coping with your anxiety. 

These resources often have educational materials and tools as well that may help you deal with your anxiety symptoms. Along with learning more about anxiety, these online resources can help you feel less isolated as you navigate your mental health journey.

Connect with a doctor or online provider

If you’re ready to speak with an online provider about your anxiety symptoms, Circle Medical is your solution. Circle Medical has over 200 board-certified primary care providers who can diagnose your anxiety and develop an individualized treatment plan, all from the comfort of your home.

Book an appointment with a Circle Medical telehealth provider today!

Circle Medical is a full-stack primary care provider that offers both in-person and online healthcare services. So, whether you prefer a more traditional healthcare experience or you prefer the convenience of telehealth, Circle Medical has you covered. We also offer same-day online appointments so you can get started as soon as possible. Book your appointment with one of our telehealth providers today!

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