What could be done to manage chronic anxiety?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have anxiety. It has been four years now, and I have done nothing about it. It started when I was held back a year in school and lost all my friends. I had to make new friends and was embarrassed. But I have moved on, and I still have anxiety. It gets worse when I am at school. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your first query consult is on us!

I will need more details to be sure, but let me give you some ideas of what the situation probably is and what you need to do about it.

The anxiety you have mentioned is present all throughout the day, most of the days, or in some situations, like when you have to go out or meet new people or do something new. It is important to differentiate between generalized anxiety (severe, ongoing anxiety that interferes with daily activities) and social anxiety (a chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety).

For generalized anxiety disorder, you will need to meet a local psychiatrist and get medications, as they can not be prescribed online. For both social anxiety and generalized anxiety, you need to start therapy sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (focuses on changing the automatic negative thoughts that can contribute to and worsen our emotional difficulties) and psychotherapy (the use of psychological methods, particularly when based on regular personal interaction, to help a person change behavior and overcome problems) will help you understand your subconscious thoughts which are keeping you in the loop of negativity and anxiety. You might be having confidence or self-esteem issues, but I will need to evaluate you in detail to find it and tell you the solution for it.

Please let me know if you want some help.

Thank you.