Anxiety Treatment in Texas - DFW, Houston, Austin and Beyond

How common is anxiety in Texas?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting roughly 40 million adults each year according to the ADAA. In Texas, that translates to approximately 4 million residents living with a diagnosable anxiety disorder at any given time. Despite how common anxiety is, fewer than 40% of people with anxiety ever receive treatment.

What medications are used for anxiety?

SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine) and SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine) are first-line treatments for generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety. They take 2-4 weeks to produce full effect but are not habit-forming. Buspirone is a non-addictive option for generalized anxiety. Benzodiazepines may be used short-term for acute anxiety but are not recommended for long-term management due to tolerance and dependence risk. NIMH provides detailed guidance on anxiety treatment.

Can anxiety be treated via telehealth?

Yes. Telehealth is highly effective for anxiety treatment. Multiple studies confirm that telehealth psychiatric care for anxiety produces equivalent outcomes to in-person care. Lyte Psychiatry provides HIPAA-compliant telehealth to all Texas and New Mexico residents with same-week appointments available.

How long does it take for anxiety medication to work?

SSRIs and SNRIs typically take 2-4 weeks to produce noticeable improvement, with full therapeutic effect at 6-8 weeks. Some people notice improvement sooner. If a medication is not effective after 6-8 weeks at an adequate dose, that is the right time to reassess. Lyte Psychiatry schedules follow-up within this window specifically to evaluate response.

Is anxiety treatment covered by insurance?

Yes. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, anxiety treatment must be covered at the same level as physical health care. Lyte Psychiatry accepts BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Humana, Ambetter, and Magellan. Most patients pay $0-$30 per visit. See all insurance plans we accept →

What is the difference between normal worry and an anxiety disorder?

Everyone worries. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed when worry or fear is persistent, difficult to control, and significantly interferes with daily life over a period of at least 6 months. The key markers are: duration, intensity, and functional impairment. The APA's DSM-5 criteria provide specific thresholds for each anxiety disorder.

Can anxiety co-occur with depression?

Yes. NIMH estimates that approximately 50% of people diagnosed with depression also have an anxiety disorder. Comorbid anxiety and depression is extremely common and requires that both conditions be addressed in treatment. Many SSRIs treat both conditions simultaneously, which is one reason they are so widely used.

What if I have tried medication before and it did not work?

One medication not working does not mean medication in general will not work for you. There are multiple classes of anxiety medications, and individual response varies. A thorough review of what you tried previously, at what dose, for how long, and what side effects occurred often reveals that treatment was suboptimal rather than ineffective. Lyte Psychiatry conducts this review at the initial evaluation before recommending next steps.