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Can a regular medical doctor prescribe anxiety medication? Or does this require a psychiatrist?
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Okesemilore Mary
Can a regular medical doctor prescribe anxiety medication? Or does this require a psychiatrist?
Yes, technically any physician (MD, DO, NP, or even PA) with prescribing abilities can prescribe something for anxiety. However, many physicians are not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medications. You say you "might not be able to see a psychiatrist until January" which suggests you've looked into, but not scheduled, an appointment. Many providers would be more comfortable starting you on something knowing that you have an upcoming appointment with a psychiatrist. When you do see someone, be sure to let them know about the supplements you have been taking to help with your anxiety.
I suggest talking with your Primary Care Physician about this, if you have one. If you don't, I highly suggest getting one. Having an established relationship with a provider makes them more comfortable prescribing for you. Walking in to your local Urgent Care (or ER, for that matter) & asking someone you've never seen before for psychiatric medications usually doesn't go too well. If you're wondering why this is, it's because the most commonly prescribed meds for anxiety (SSRI's) take 8-12 weeks to really reach full effect and there is a small risk of increased suicidality when you first start. Drugs like Ativan or Xanax (for short term relief of anxiety symptoms) have a very high street value, and few providers are willing to write these for someone they've just met for the first time.
Yes, technically any physician (MD, DO, NP, or even PA) with prescribing abilities can prescribe something for anxiety. However, many physicians are not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medications. You say you "might not be able to see a psychiatrist until January" which suggests you've looked into, but not scheduled, an appointment. Many providers would be more comfortable starting you on something knowing that you have an upcoming appointment with a psychiatrist. When you do see someone, be sure to let them know about the supplements you have been taking to help with your anxiety.
I suggest talking with your Primary Care Physician about this, if you have one. If you don't, I highly suggest getting one. Having an established relationship with a provider makes them more comfortable prescribing for you. Walking in to your local Urgent Care (or ER, for that matter) & asking someone you've never seen before for psychiatric medications usually doesn't go too well. If you're wondering why this is, it's because the most commonly prescribed meds for anxiety (SSRI's) take 8-12 weeks to really reach full effect and there is a small risk of increased suicidality when you first start. Drugs like Ativan or Xanax (for short term relief of anxiety symptoms) have a very high street value, and few providers are willing to write these for someone they've just met for the first time.
Yes, technically any physician (MD, DO, NP, or even PA) with prescribing abilities can prescribe something for anxiety. However, many physicians are not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medications. You say you "might not be able to see a psychiatrist until January" which suggests you've looked into, but not scheduled, an appointment. Many providers would be more comfortable starting you on something knowing that you have an upcoming appointment with a psychiatrist. When you do see someone, be sure to let them know about the supplements you have been taking to help with your anxiety.
I suggest talking with your Primary Care Physician about this, if you have one. If you don't, I highly suggest getting one. Having an established relationship with a provider makes them more comfortable prescribing for you. Walking in to your local Urgent Care (or ER, for that matter) & asking someone you've never seen before for psychiatric medications usually doesn't go too well. If you're wondering why this is, it's because the most commonly prescribed meds for anxiety (SSRI's) take 8-12 weeks to really reach full effect and there is a small risk of increased suicidality when you first start. Drugs like Ativan or Xanax (for short term relief of anxiety symptoms) have a very high street value, and few providers are willing to write these for someone they've just met for the first time.
Yes, technically any physician (MD, DO, NP, or even PA) with prescribing abilities can prescribe something for anxiety. However, many physicians are not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medications. You say you "might not be able to see a psychiatrist until January" which suggests you've looked into, but not scheduled, an appointment. Many providers would be more comfortable starting you on something knowing that you have an upcoming appointment with a psychiatrist. When you do see someone, be sure to let them know about the supplements you have been taking to help with your anxiety.
I suggest talking with your Primary Care Physician about this, if you have one. If you don't, I highly suggest getting one. Having an established relationship with a provider makes them more comfortable prescribing for you. Walking in to your local Urgent Care (or ER, for that matter) & asking someone you've never seen before for psychiatric medications usually doesn't go too well. If you're wondering why this is, it's because the most commonly prescribed meds for anxiety (SSRI's) take 8-12 weeks to really reach full effect and there is a small risk of increased suicidality when you first start. Drugs like Ativan or Xanax (for short term relief of anxiety symptoms) have a very high street value, and few providers are willing to write these for someone they've just met for the first time.
Yes, technically any physician (MD, DO, NP, or even PA) with prescribing abilities can prescribe something for anxiety. However, many physicians are not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medications. You say you "might not be able to see a psychiatrist until January" which suggests you've looked into, but not scheduled, an appointment. Many providers would be more comfortable starting you on something knowing that you have an upcoming appointment with a psychiatrist. When you do see someone, be sure to let them know about the supplements you have been taking to help with your anxiety.
I suggest talking with your Primary Care Physician about this, if you have one. If you don't, I highly suggest getting one. Having an established relationship with a provider makes them more comfortable prescribing for you. Walking in to your local Urgent Care (or ER, for that matter) & asking someone you've never seen before for psychiatric medications usually doesn't go too well. If you're wondering why this is, it's because the most commonly prescribed meds for anxiety (SSRI's) take 8-12 weeks to really reach full effect and there is a small risk of increased suicidality when you first start. Drugs like Ativan or Xanax (for short term relief of anxiety symptoms) have a very high street value, and few providers are willing to write these for someone they've just met for the first time.
Yes, technically any physician (MD, DO, NP, or even PA) with prescribing abilities can prescribe something for anxiety. However, many physicians are not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medications. You say you "might not be able to see a psychiatrist until January" which suggests you've looked into, but not scheduled, an appointment. Many providers would be more comfortable starting you on something knowing that you have an upcoming appointment with a psychiatrist. When you do see someone, be sure to let them know about the supplements you have been taking to help with your anxiety.
I suggest talking with your Primary Care Physician about this, if you have one. If you don't, I highly suggest getting one. Having an established relationship with a provider makes them more comfortable prescribing for you. Walking in to your local Urgent Care (or ER, for that matter) & asking someone you've never seen before for psychiatric medications usually doesn't go too well. If you're wondering why this is, it's because the most commonly prescribed meds for anxiety (SSRI's) take 8-12 weeks to really reach full effect and there is a small risk of increased suicidality when you first start. Drugs like Ativan or Xanax (for short term relief of anxiety symptoms) have a very high street value, and few providers are willing to write these for someone they've just met for the first time.
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Yes, technically any physician (MD, DO, NP, or even PA) with prescribing abilities can prescribe something for anxiety. However, many physicians are not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medications. You say you "might not be able to see a psychiatrist until January" which suggests you've looked into, but not scheduled, an appointment. Many providers would be more comfortable starting you on something knowing that you have an upcoming appointment with a psychiatrist. When you do see someone, be sure to let them know about the supplements you have been taking to help with your anxiety.
I suggest talking with your Primary Care Physician about this, if you have one. If you don't, I highly suggest getting one. Having an established relationship with a provider makes them more comfortable prescribing for you. Walking in to your local Urgent Care (or ER, for that matter) & asking someone you've never seen before for psychiatric medications usually doesn't go too well. If you're wondering why this is, it's because the most commonly prescribed meds for anxiety (SSRI's) take 8-12 weeks to really reach full effect and there is a small risk of increased suicidality when you first start. Drugs like Ativan or Xanax (for short term relief of anxiety symptoms) have a very high street value, and few providers are willing to write these for someone they've just met for the first time.
Yes, technically any physician (MD, DO, NP, or even PA) with prescribing abilities can prescribe something for anxiety. However, many physicians are not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medications. You say you "might not be able to see a psychiatrist until January" which suggests you've looked into, but not scheduled, an appointment. Many providers would be more comfortable starting you on something knowing that you have an upcoming appointment with a psychiatrist. When you do see someone, be sure to let them know about the supplements you have been taking to help with your anxiety.
I suggest talking with your Primary Care Physician about this, if you have one. If you don't, I highly suggest getting one. Having an established relationship with a provider makes them more comfortable prescribing for you. Walking in to your local Urgent Care (or ER, for that matter) & asking someone you've never seen before for psychiatric medications usually doesn't go too well. If you're wondering why this is, it's because the most commonly prescribed meds for anxiety (SSRI's) take 8-12 weeks to really reach full effect and there is a small risk of increased suicidality when you first start. Drugs like Ativan or Xanax (for short term relief of anxiety symptoms) have a very high street value, and few providers are willing to write these for someone they've just met for the first time.
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