Medication, Therapy, and You: Building an Anxiety Treatment Plan
There’s a common myth that anxiety medication is just a “band-aid fix”—but that oversimplifies how anxiety is actually treated. In reality, effective anxiety care usually involves a thoughtful combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and ongoing professional support, all working together to address both the symptoms and the root causes.
Pharmacists play an important role in helping people understand their medication options, set realistic expectations, and build a plan that works for them. In support of Action Anxiety Day, we’re shining a light on how anxiety can be treated — and that you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in Canada (source). In fact, by age 40, about half of Canadians will have or have had a mental illness (source). That’s why having access to reliable information about treatments is so important.
Pharmacists are ready to help by offering guidance, medication reviews, and support. (You can book a Medication Review today!)
Anxiety Medications: More Than Symptom Management
Anxiety isn’t "just in your head." It's linked to chemical messengers in your brain — called neurotransmitters — like serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (source). Anxiety treatment medication options aim to help balance these chemicals and reduce symptoms (source).
Here are some common classes of medications used in anxiety treatment:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Antidepressants (like SSRIs) are often the most commonly used medication for anxiety disorders in Canada (source). SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety. Compared to older antidepressants, SSRIs generally have fewer side effects, making them a safer and more manageable option for many patients (CAMH, 2021).
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs are another type of medicine that also helps with anxiety. They increase both serotonin and another brain chemical called norepinephrine. This can help with anxiety and also with problems like tiredness, trouble focusing, or pain (source). Doctors in Canada sometimes choose SNRIs when SSRIs don’t work well enough or if someone has these (above) other symptoms along with anxiety (source).
Benzodiazepines and Beta-Blockers
For short-term or situational anxiety (like a public speaking event), benzodiazepines or beta-blockers may be prescribed. These medications may help provide quick relief but are typically used on a short-term basis for situational anxiety. Long-term use may be more appropriate for some individuals, but it’s important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan (learn more).
Each class of anxiety medication has its own timeline for working. For example, SSRIs and SNRIs may take 4 to 6 weeks before full benefits are seen (source). This delay is normal and expected. That’s why medication is often combined with therapy and lifestyle strategies to create a complete anxiety treatment plan (source).
Anxiety Medication as Part of a Holistic Treatment Plan
Contrary to what some may think, anxiety medications are not a "quick fix." They help build a stable foundation so other healing methods—like therapy and lifestyle changes—can be more effective (source). According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), medications are often part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy and lifestyle modifications.
Here’s what a complete anxiety treatment plan often includes:
Therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a top option and is a structured, goal-oriented therapy that focuses on the present, helping individuals develop coping strategies and manage their day-to-day lives (source).
Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, regular and recuperative sleep, balanced eating, and mindfulness practices are additional ways to help manage anxiety (source).
Medical support: Regular check-ins with your health care practitioner in order to adjust medication as needed and make sure it is the right medication for you.
Community and social support: Staying connected to others can help boost resilience and help alleviate anxiety (source).
As with any illness, treatment plans are flexible and can change over time. Medication doses may be adjusted. Some people may try different medications. Others may eventually taper off medication with medical supervision once long-term strategies are in place.
Pharmacists as Partners in Mental Health Care
Pharmacists are a trusted, accessible part of your mental health team. They can:
Explain how medications work and set realistic expectations about results.
Identify and manage side effects or drug interactions.
Suggest lifestyle changes to support mental health (like exercise, balanced eating or meditation).
Guide safe medication use: It is not recommended to stop taking anxiety medications without speaking to a healthcare professional. Tapering off your medication or medications with the guidance of a doctor is the best method (source, p.29) if you want or need to stop taking them. Pharmacists help ensure patients not only get the correct medication and dosing, but that they have the guidance they need to use the medication safely and effectively.
If you have questions about anxiety medication, don’t wait — speak with your pharmacist or book an appointment today for personalized advice.
Understanding anxiety and how it’s treated is key to building confidence in your care. Medications are not just quick fixes — they are valuable tools that, when combined with therapy and mindful habits, help create a strong path forward.
If you’re considering medication or want to review your current plan, consult your pharmacy team for expert help. We’re here to help you navigate your anxiety treatment plan — every step of the way. Book a medication review today to get started.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, immediate danger or needs urgent medical support, call 9-1-1.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
