7 Essential Tips on How to Ask Your Doctor for Anxiety Medication

Your guide to advocating for your mental health with confidence and clarity.

Struggling with anxiety can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting. For many, it’s a quiet battle that plays out behind the scenes—at work, at home, in social settings, or even during moments that are supposed to feel calm. If you’ve reached the point where your anxiety is interfering with your daily life, relationships, or overall sense of peace, it might be time to talk to a doctor about medication.

Asking for anxiety medication can feel intimidating. Maybe you're worried about being dismissed or judged. Maybe you're unsure how to describe what you’re feeling. Or maybe you’ve just never done this before and don’t know where to start. This guide is designed to walk you through the process—step by step—so you can advocate for your mental health with confidence, clarity, and self-compassion.

1. Understand Who Can Prescribe Anxiety Medication

Before booking an appointment, it helps to know who can actually write the prescription and what each professional brings to the table.

Primary Care Physicians (PCPs)

PCPs are often the first stop for people seeking help with anxiety. They’re trained to diagnose and treat mild to moderate anxiety and can prescribe common medications like SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, fluoxetine) or short-term options like benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam). Many people begin their anxiety treatment journey here, especially if they don’t yet have access to a psychiatrist.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They’re ideal if your symptoms are severe, complicated by other conditions (like depression or OCD), or if previous medications haven’t worked. They often have deeper knowledge of psychiatric medications and can fine-tune your treatment plan more precisely over time.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs)

PNPs are advanced practice nurses with mental health training who can assess, diagnose, and prescribe medication. In many settings, they work alongside psychiatrists and therapists. If getting an appointment with a psychiatrist is tough, a PNP can be a great alternative.

Therapists

Unlike Psychiatrists, therapists are usually a first line of defense before initiating medication. Talk therapy can instill tools and coping strategies that might disrupt the need for medication. While they can’t prescribe themselves, they refer out when their patient needs it.   

2. Knowing When to Ask for Medication

Medication is one tool in the broader landscape of mental health care—but it can be a powerful one, especially when symptoms are persistent, disruptive, or worsening.

Recognizing Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety isn’t always just “worry.” It can manifest in many ways, including:

• Constant rumination or overthinking

• Feeling tense, restless, or “on edge”

• Physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, or digestive issues

• Insomnia or trouble staying asleep

• Avoiding responsibilities or social situations out of fear

If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms more days than not for several weeks—or if they’ve intensified over time—medication might be worth considering.

Assessing the Impact on Daily Life

Try to evaluate how anxiety is affecting you in practical terms. Are you missing deadlines? Avoiding people? Struggling to focus at work? Are your relationships suffering? The greater the impact, the more appropriate it may be to explore medication as part of your treatment.

3. Preparing for Your Appointment

Walking into the doctor’s office prepared can make the experience feel less daunting and much more productive.

Journaling Your Symptoms

Before your visit, jot down:

• When your anxiety began

• How often it occurs and how long it lasts

• What triggers it

• How it affects your life (sleep, work, relationships, appetite, etc.)

• Any coping strategies you’ve tried—and whether they worked

This creates a clear picture for your doctor and ensures you don’t forget key details during the appointment.

Researching Medication Options

You don’t need to be an expert, but a little research goes a long way. Understanding the difference between SSRIs, SNRIs, benzodiazepines, or beta-blockers helps you ask informed questions and understand your options.

4. How to Describe Your Anxiety to the Doctor

Doctors rely on the information you provide, so the more honest and descriptive you are, the better they can help you.

Be Honest and Specific

Instead of saying, “I feel anxious,” try:
“I wake up with a pit in my stomach every morning, and I feel constantly on edge. It's hard to concentrate at work because I'm so overwhelmed, and I’ve started canceling plans just to avoid dealing with people.”

Specific, real-life examples paint a much clearer picture.

Use Anxiety Scales or Worksheets

Self-assessment tools like the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) or Beck Anxiety Inventory can help quantify your experience. Some doctors use these tools, but even if they don’t, bringing one completed with you can help jumpstart the conversation.

5. Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Remember: this is a two-way conversation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You deserve to understand your diagnosis and treatment plan fully.

About Diagnosis:

• What type of anxiety do you think I have?

• Could this be linked to another mental health condition?

• Is medication necessary, or should we start with therapy?

About Medication:

• What medication are you recommending, and why?

• What are the most common side effects?

• How long will it take to notice improvement?

• What should I do if I don’t feel better?

Asking these questions empowers you to make informed choices and sets realistic expectations.

6. How to Ask for an Increase in Medication

If you’re already on anxiety medication but feel it’s not working well, you’re not alone—and you’re not being “difficult” by bringing it up.

Recognizing When It’s Needed

Look for signs like:

• No improvement after 4–6 weeks

• Initial relief followed by a return of symptoms

• Side effects that outweigh the benefits

• Trouble functioning despite the medication

Communicating Your Needs Effectively

You can say something like:

“I’ve been taking this medication for about six weeks, but I’m still struggling to sleep and feel anxious most of the day. I’m wondering if the dose is too low or if we should try something else.”

Your provider’s job is to listen and work with you to find the best solution—not to make you feel like you’re overreacting.

7. Follow-Up and Next Steps

Starting medication is not the end of the road—it’s the beginning of a process that involves monitoring, adjusting, and supporting your mental health holistically.

Set Up Regular Check-ins

Make sure to schedule follow-ups, usually every 4–6 weeks in the beginning. These visits help your doctor assess whether the medication is working and allow for dosage adjustments if needed.

Explore Additional Support Services

Medication often works best when paired with other forms of support:

• Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in particular, has strong evidence for treating anxiety.

• Lifestyle Support: Exercise, nutrition, mindfulness practices, and sleep hygiene can all play a meaningful role.

• Community Resources: Support groups, peer networks, or online communities can reduce the sense of isolation and offer valuable encouragement.

You’re Not Alone

Taking the step to ask for anxiety medication is not a sign of weakness. It’s an act of courage. It means you’re listening to your body, honoring your mental health, and making space for healing. Whether you're just beginning to explore treatment or looking to improve your current plan, know this: you deserve to feel better. You deserve peace. And you are not alone.