Preparing for an appointment

You may see your primary care doctor, or your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

• Any symptoms you've been experiencing, including when they occur, what seems to make them better or worse, and how much they affect your day-to-day activities, such as work, school or relationships
• Key personal information, including major life changes or stressful events you've dealt with recently and any traumatic experiences you've had in the past
• Medical information, including other physical or mental health conditions with which you've been diagnosed
• Any medications, vitamins, herbs or other supplements you're taking, including the dosages
• Questions to ask your doctor or mental health professional

Some questions to ask your doctor may include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there other possible issues or physical health problems that could be causing or worsening my anxiety?
• Do I need any tests?
• What treatment do you recommend?
• Should I see a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional?
• Would medication help? If so, is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor or mental health professional will likely ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Questions may include:

• What are your symptoms?
• What things do you tend to worry about?
• Do your symptoms interfere with your daily activities?
• Do you avoid anything because of your anxiety?
• Have your feelings of anxiety been occasional or continuous?
• When did you first begin noticing your anxiety?
• Does anything in particular seem to trigger your anxiety or make it worse?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your feelings of anxiety?
• What, if any, physical or mental health conditions do you have?
• What traumatic experiences have you had recently or in the past?
• Do you regularly drink alcohol or use recreational drugs?
• Do you have any blood relatives with anxiety or other mental health conditions, such as depression?