Can I receive a prescription for anxiety medication through Laso MD? 

Certainly! Our healthcare professionals can prescribe anxiety medications during your online consultation. Upon accepting the prescription, you can choose to pick it up from any pharmacy or have it conveniently delivered to your doorstep at no extra charge.

 

What are the most prevalent anxiety disorders?

Anxiety is a natural emotion that serves a survival purpose. Given life’s stressors, occasional feelings of anxiousness are entirely normal.

However, persistent, excessive anxiety that interferes with daily life may indicate anxiety disorders. These disorders make it challenging to manage overwhelming worry, often leaving individuals feeling helpless and fatigued. There are various types of anxiety disorders, each triggered by different factors. These include:

1. Panic Disorder – Marked by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, characterized by symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, and trembling. This is followed by at least one month of constant concern about having another attack or fear of losing control, often leading to significant behavioral changes.
2. Selective Mutism – Mainly diagnosed in childhood, this anxiety disorder occurs when a child consistently does not speak in certain situations but communicates comfortably in others.
3. Phobias – An anxiety disorder defined by persistent and excessive fear of a particular object or situation, lasting more than six months and causing rapid onset fear.
4. Anxiety Due to Another Medical Condition – When anxiety results directly from the presence of another medical condition.
5. Social Anxiety Disorder – Involves a fear of being humiliated or scrutinized in social situations, lasting at least six months and causing significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.
6. Agoraphobia – An anxiety disorder leading to a fear of places or situations that may induce panic, causing avoidance due to fear of feeling trapped, helpless, or embarrassed.
7. Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder – Nervousness, restlessness, or panic caused by taking or stopping a drug or substance.
8. Separation Anxiety Disorder – Fear of being separated from a specific person, people, or even a pet, not limited to young children but also affecting teens and adults.
9. Unspecified Anxiety Disorder – When anxiety-like symptoms cause significant distress or impaired functioning, but there is insufficient information to determine a specific type of anxiety disorder.
10. Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various daily life aspects, often beyond what seems warranted by actual events. This may include expecting the worst even when there is no apparent reason for concern.

 

What are the prevalent anxiety disorders, and what are the associated symptoms?

Symptoms of anxiety disorders manifest as both mental and physical indicators, varying depending on the specific type of anxiety disorder you may be dealing with. These symptoms may also present differently in adults and children. Recognizing these conditions in children may require adults’ assistance, as children might struggle to articulate their emotions clearly and may instead exhibit signs of anxiety disorders.

In adults, the most common symptoms and signs of anxiety disorders include:

• Sweating
• Trembling or twitching
• Fatigue
• Nervousness or restlessness
• Increased heart rate, palpitations, or pounding heart
• Hyperventilation
• Dizziness, unsteadiness, lightheadedness, or faintness
• Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling or staying asleep, restless sleep)
• Gastrointestinal (GI) issues (nausea, diarrhea, etc.)
• An impending sense of panic, danger, or doom
• Avoidance of triggers to the point of inconvenience
• Muscle aches due to chronic tension
• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry or uncertainty
• Irritability
• Overthinking worst-case scenarios
• Indecisiveness or fear when making decisions
• Perceiving situations as threatening when they are not
• Difficulty focusing on tasks

In teens and children, the most common symptoms and signs of anxiety disorders include:

• Perfectionism
• Concerns about performance in school or sports
• Going to great lengths for approval
• Seeking constant reassurance
• Pre-school anxiety or increased difficulty returning after breaks
• Sleep difficulties
• Anxiety about fitting in, even within established peer groups
• Avoidance of social situations or school
• Low confidence
• Excessive time spent on tasks (homework, sports practice, grooming)
• Intense worry about punctuality
• Unfounded concern over the safety of loved ones
• Excessive worry about uncontrollable events (natural disasters, wars, illnesses)
• Complaints of stomach upset or other physical discomfort.

 

What are the prevalent anxiety disorders, and what are the associated symptoms? How are anxiety disorders diagnosed?

Before a healthcare professional delivers a diagnosis for anxiety disorders, they will engage in a comprehensive discussion about your personal and family medical history. Additionally, they will assess your current condition, taking into consideration any symptoms indicative of an anxiety disorder.

In many instances, the healthcare provider may recommend consultation with a mental health professional, such as a psychotherapist, who specializes in assisting individuals in managing symptoms associated with anxiety disorders.

Following a thorough physical and psychological evaluation, the healthcare provider can then offer a diagnosis for an anxiety disorder, if warranted. They will also provide recommendations for coping with anxiety, offer techniques for anxiety management, and suggest appropriate anxiety disorder treatments. These treatments may encompass ongoing psychotherapy or the prescription of necessary anxiety disorder medications.

 

How are anxiety disorders addressed?

Primary treatments for anxiety disorders involve psychotherapy and medications. For those experiencing moderate-to-severe symptoms, a combination of these treatments may yield the most effective results. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing symptoms associated with anxiety disorders.

Additionally, making beneficial lifestyle changes can contribute to alleviating symptoms of anxiety disorders. Some of these changes include:

1. Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet.
2. Avoiding the consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs.
3. Increasing physical activity through exercises targeting 60-90% of your maximum heart rate for 20 minutes, three times per week.
4. Quitting smoking.
5. Reducing or eliminating the intake of caffeinated beverages.
6. Utilizing relaxation or stress management techniques such as yoga, or exploring resources like the free Mindshift CBT app.
7. Ensuring an adequate amount of sleep each night.

 

What are the frequently prescribed medications for anxiety in Canada?

In addressing the distress caused by intrusive thoughts or generalized stress associated with anxiety disorders, a healthcare professional may recommend medication. Among the commonly suggested prescription anxiety medications in Canada are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Citalopram (Celexa), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac), and Escitalopram (Lexapro). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor) are also frequently prescribed. All these anxiety medications can be conveniently accessed online through Laso MD.

 

Does anxiety ever dissipate?

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, threats, and fear. Typically, regular anxiety fades once the perceived threat is no longer present. However, anxiety disorders differ from typical anxiety as they are triggered by more persistent worries or fears.

In cases of anxiety disorders, episodes of anxiety can occur frequently and seemingly without a clear cause, lasting longer than expected for a given situation. If left untreated, anxiety disorders may worsen over time.

 

What are the dangers of using alcohol to alleviate anxiety?

Relying on alcohol to self-medicate for anxiety disorders poses significant risks and is not advisable. Individuals with anxiety disorders are three times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder compared to those who have never been diagnosed with anxiety.

 

When should you seek medical attention for anxiety disorders?

If signs of anxiety disorders persist over an extended period, impacting your daily life, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional. They can refer you to a psychotherapist, conduct examinations for any underlying physical conditions contributing to your symptoms, and discuss the potential benefits of prescription anxiety disorder medication.

 

Why choose Laso MD?

With Laso MD, you can quickly connect with healthcare professionals to address your symptoms. As a healthcare app providing fast, convenient access to Canadian doctors and healthcare professionals 24/7, you can request a consultation with the tap of a button. Through live chat or video, a doctor can assess your symptoms, provide treatment, and offer prescriptions as necessary.

Laso MD: Your solution for prompt and accessible healthcare support. Learn more on our How it Works page.