TREATMENT OF ANXIETY FOR ADULTS IN PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS

Robyn L. Shepardson, PhD; Jeffrey S. Khan, MD; Katherine A. Buckheit, PhD; Jennifer S. Funderburk, PhD

Anxiety disorders are prevalent and often underdetected in primary care. The document emphasizes the importance of screening for anxiety in patients under 65 and outlines assessment strategies, including patient-reported measures and clinical interviews. It discusses treatment options, recommending cognitive-behavioral therapy as the first-line behavioral treatment and various selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for pharmacotherapy. The review also highlights the need for shared decision-making between patients and providers regarding treatment choices.