Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

If you have ever felt consumed by worry, dread, or fear that you could not seem to control, you are not alone. Anxiety disorders are the second most common psychiatric condition in the United States, after depression. The most recent national data show that generalized anxiety disorder alone affects approximately 10% of US adults.

When all anxiety disorders are considered together, the lifetime prevalence reaches around 34%. Women experience anxiety disorders at higher rates than men, with lifetime estimates of roughly 40% in women compared to 26% in men. These numbers make clear that anxiety disorders are not rare or unusual. They are a widespread medical reality affecting tens of millions of Americans.

At Solstice Health & Wellness in Sarasota, we treat anxiety with the same clinical seriousness as any other chronic health condition. Our coordinated approach combines evidence-based medication management and whole-person care to help you regain stability and function.

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. It is a normal and often useful response to stress, uncertainty, or threat. However, when worry and fear become ongoing, hard to control, and begin to interfere with daily life, they may indicate an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders involve changes in how the brain processes fear and threat. As a result, the stress response activates too easily, too strongly, or without a clear cause. Over time, this affects sleep, focus, relationships, physical health, and the ability to function at work or at home.

The good news is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Furthermore, most people who receive appropriate care experience meaningful improvement.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders may develop from a combination of factors. Having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop an anxiety disorder.

Genetic factors play a role. Anxiety disorders tend to run in families, suggesting inherited differences in how the nervous system responds to stress. If you have a parent or sibling with an anxiety disorder, you may be at higher risk.

Brain chemistry also contributes. Anxiety involves complex interactions between brain regions that process fear and emotion, particularly the amygdala, the brain’s fear center, and the prefrontal cortex, which handles decision making and emotional control.

Life experiences such as trauma, hardship, ongoing stress, substance use, or major life changes can trigger or worsen anxiety in those at risk.

Personality and temperament, meaning a person’s natural way of responding to the world, also matter. People who are sensitive to stress, prone to negative thinking, or naturally cautious may face a higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety disorders share common features but differ in what triggers them. The following patterns are commonly seen across conditions.

Anxiety and Substance Use

Many people with anxiety disorders also struggle with alcohol or drug use. This connection works in both directions.

Some people use alcohol, marijuana, or other substances to cope with anxiety symptoms, a pattern called “self-medicating.” While substances may provide temporary relief, they ultimately worsen anxiety over time and can lead to addiction. Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other substances can also cause or intensify anxiety symptoms.

Conversely, substance use can trigger or worsen anxiety disorders. Stimulants like cocaine or excessive caffeine can directly cause anxiety symptoms. Heavy alcohol use changes brain chemistry in ways that increase anxiety, especially during withdrawal.

Research shows that people with anxiety disorders are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop substance use problems compared to those without anxiety.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Medication Treatment

Several medications are effective for anxiety disorders. Medication selection is individualized based on substance use history, medical conditions, current medications, and patient goals.

First-line FDA-Approved Options

SSRIs such as sertraline, escitalopram, and paroxetine are the most widely used treatments for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. They work by increasing serotonin, a chemical messenger that helps regulate mood, reducing anxiety over time. Most people notice improvement within two to four weeks, with continued progress over several months. Importantly, they do not carry addiction potential.

SNRIs such as venlafaxine and duloxetine. They work on both serotonin and norepinephrine, another mood-regulating chemical, and are particularly helpful when anxiety occurs alongside depression or chronic pain.

Buspirone is a non-sedating, non-addictive option approved for generalized anxiety disorder. It does not cause the sedation or dependence associated with benzodiazepines, making it a preferred choice for individuals with a history of substance use.

Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) provide rapid relief but carry risks of dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal. Generally avoided or used short-term with close oversight in patients with a substance use history. Learn more about benzodiazepine addiction.

Off-label Options

“Off-label” means a medication is used for a purpose not listed on its FDA label. This is common and evidence-informed. It does not mean the medication is unsafe or ineffective, only that it is not formally approved for that specific use.

• Hydroxyzine: Non-addictive antihistamine, meaning an allergy medication with calming effects, often used for short-term anxiety or sleep
• Propranolol: Beta blocker that reduces the physical symptoms of anxiety such as racing heart, often used for performance anxiety or short-term stress
• Gabapentin: Off-label for anxiety, particularly in individuals with co-occurring substance use, though it requires careful monitoring
• Low-dose quetiapine: Occasionally used for anxiety that has not responded to other treatments or anxiety with significant mood instability
• Prazosin: Used for anxiety tied to PTSD, particularly nighttime symptoms and disturbing dreams

Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Sarasota, FL

Outpatient anxiety treatment at Solstice Health & Wellness allows you to continue working, caring for your family, and managing daily life while receiving coordinated clinical care. Our integrated model brings together mental health services, primary care, addiction treatment, and lifestyle wellness into one personalized plan.

For individuals with co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders, this coordination is especially important. We offer medication management that accounts for addiction history, evidence-based behavioral therapies, and ongoing monitoring to keep care safe and effective over time.

Contact Solstice Health & Wellness in Sarasota to learn more about anxiety disorder treatment.

When to Seek Help

Many people live with anxiety for years before seeking support. You do not need a formal diagnosis or a crisis to ask for help. If worry feels uncontrollable, if fear is limiting your life, and if you are using alcohol or other substances to cope, a clinical evaluation is a reasonable and important next step.

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) anytime, day or night.

At Solstice, care is designed to address anxiety and substance use together within one coordinated plan. Treating both conditions simultaneously leads to stronger, more sustainable outcomes than treating either condition in isolation. Learn more about our integrated addiction treatment approach.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Disorders

1. What is the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

Normal anxiety is temporary and tied to a specific situation, such as a job interview or a medical procedure. In contrast, an anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive fear or worry that is difficult to control and interferes with daily functioning.

2. Can anxiety disorders be treated without medication?

Yes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other behavioral approaches are highly effective and can be used alone or in combination with medication. However, for moderate to severe anxiety, a combination of medication and therapy typically produces the best outcomes.

3. Can lifestyle changes help with anxiety?

Yes. Exercise, sleep, mindfulness, stress management, and avoidance of caffeine, drugs, and alcohol can improve symptoms.

4. Are benzodiazepines safe for anxiety?

Benzodiazepines can provide short-term relief for anxiety but carry significant risks of dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal with regular use. For individuals with a history of substance use disorders, they are generally avoided, and safer non-addictive alternatives are generally preferred.

5. What medications are used for anxiety in people with substance use disorders?

SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, hydroxyzine, and propranolol are among the preferred options because they do not carry addiction potential. 

6. Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?

Yes. Rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, and stomach discomfort are all common physical signs of anxiety. These symptoms are real and often improve noticeably with treatment.

7. What is the link between anxiety and alcohol use?

Alcohol temporarily reduces anxiety through its sedating effects. However, regular use throws off the brain’s natural stress systems and worsens anxiety over time, particularly during withdrawal. Treating both conditions together produces the best outcomes.

8. How long does anxiety treatment take?

Treatment duration varies depending on the type and severity of anxiety disorder, co-occurring conditions, and individual response to treatment. Many people notice meaningful improvement within several weeks of starting medication or therapy. However, ongoing maintenance treatment is often recommended for long-term stability, particularly when anxiety co-occurs with substance use disorders.

Medically Reviewed By
Frank Melo, MD
Board Certified Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine
Medical Director, Solstice Health & Wellness
Last Updated: April 2026

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.