Anxiety disorders: Ongoing care​

Key points

• Advise the person and family or caregivers to watch for suicidal ideation, especially if anxiety is comorbid with depression
• Advise the person and family or caregivers to watch for signs of addiction, particularly during initiation of treatment or times of increased stress.
• Consider providing information about family support groups.
• In cases where anxiety is comorbid with moderate or severe learning difficulties, consider referring the person to a specialist.
• Provide information about the benefits of exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Resources

Self-help or support groups

Canadian Mental Health Association

Mood Disorders Society of Canada

Provincial resources: Anxiety B.C., Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba, Anxiety Disorders Association of Ontario

Self-management resources

The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook. (2005), by Edmund J. Bourne

Anxiety B.C. Self-Help – Managing Anxiety

Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario

B.C. Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. (2003). Anxiety Disorder Toolkit: Information and Resources for Effective Self-Management of Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders

Positive Coping with Health Conditions, A Self-Care Workbook. (2009), by Dan Bilsker, Joti Samra and Elliot Goldner

Websites

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Canadian Mental Health Association

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments

Mood Disorders Association of Canada