How do I know when I need to see a mental health professional?
Dr. Gross: I always recommend first consulting your family doctor or primary care provider. There might be a non-psychiatric medical explanation for your emotional concerns. Your physician can help you clarify the nature of your concerns as an anxiety, mood, or purely psychological difficulty.
Dr. Rosen: I would add, it is important not to let any shame or embarrassment prevent you from asking your primary doctor for an opinion. It is also suggested that you consider how long you have been feeling symptoms and how much the symptoms are interfering with day-to-day life.
How do I find the appropriate mental health professional?
Dr. Gross: Most primary care providers work with psychiatrists and therapists, I would recommend asking them for a referral.
Dr. Rosen: Finding a mental health professional is not always easy. If your doctor is unable to help with this, then look to professional associations. For instance, for anxiety or depression, check with the Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
How do I decide whether to see a therapist or a psychiatrist?
Dr. Rosen: If the symptoms are obviously resulting from situations, it would be reasonable to see a psychologist or therapist first. If it is unclear what is causing feelings of distress, then a psychiatric consult could be helpful as well.
Dr. Gross: The psychiatrist often serves to provide a comprehensive evaluation that clarifies the diagnosis and a treatment direction. The psychiatrist would manage psychiatric medication when necessary.
How to determine if I need depression therapy or medication?
Dr. Rosen: If depression seems present without any “reason” and for an extended period of time, then medication would be helpful in addition to talk therapy.
Dr. Gross: When there are situational reasons for the mood or anxiety problem, addressing them with psychotherapy may often be all that is needed. Sometimes psychotherapy progress may stall, and medication may be needed to proceed effectively. There are situations where the anxiety or depressive symptoms are so severe that the individual can’t function and in these instances, the addition of medication to psychotherapy is necessary.
When is anxiety a problem that needs to be addressed by a professional?
Dr. Rosen: If the anxiety is present on a regular basis and is causing problems with work, family, relationships, and health—it is time to see a professional .
Dr. Gross: Seeking help for anxiety is an individual decision. If you are suffering and the anxiety is interfering with day-to-day life, seek help.
Please tell us about your book Getting to Know Anxiety.
Both: We wrote Getting to Know Anxiety to familiarize the public with the overall condition, the types of anxiety disorders that exist, and treatments that are effective. You can find the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Know-Anxiety-Andrew-Rosen-ebook/dp/B08KTLSYVM
Dr. Andrew Rosen
Dr. Andrew Rosen PHD, ABPP, FAACP is a Board-Certified Psychologist and the Founder and Director of The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders, as well as, the Founder of The Children’s Center for Psychiatry Psychology and Related Services.
