Conditions
Anxiety
Identify anxiety disorders, rule out medical causes, and start first-line care.
Last reviewed 2026-01-05|mental-health | anxiety | primary-care
Diagnosis
- Use GAD-7 or condition-specific tools and confirm clinical criteria.
- Assess severity, functional impact, and comorbid depression or substance use.
Initial workup
- Review medications, caffeine, and substance use that may mimic anxiety.
- Screen for thyroid disease, anemia, arrhythmia, or other medical contributors as indicated.
First-line management
- Offer CBT and other evidence-based psychotherapy options.
- Start an SSRI/SNRI if symptoms are persistent or impairing.
- Encourage sleep, exercise, and relaxation strategies alongside therapy.
Red flags
- Severe agitation, suicidality, or inability to function in daily activities.
- Psychosis, mania, or severe substance withdrawal.
Referral triggers
- Diagnostic uncertainty or failure of first-line therapy.
- Complex comorbidity (PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder).