Anxiety symptoms, treatment and health plan benefits

Anxiety is a common mental health condition. People feel extreme worry or fear of simple life tasks. Learn about anxiety signs, types and treatment.

Overview

Feeling nervous sometimes is normal. If the feelings continue and cause problems with your job, school or relationships, it could be time to speak with a health care professional about anxiety. You can find a health care professional who specializes in treating anxiety and who is in your Blue Cross or Blue Plus health plan network by using our Find a Doctor tool. 

What are the signs of anxiety?

Symptoms may be extreme, mild or irregular. Look for one or more of these signs:

Emotional

  • Feeling uneasy or fearful
  • Feeling tired or irritable
  • Always expecting the worst
  • Difficulty concentrating

Physical

  • Pounding or racing heart
  • Shortness of breath
  • Upset stomach
  • People with anxiety may avoid situations that make them feel these symptoms. If the symptoms become severe, you may experience an anxiety attack, also called a panic attack.

What are the signs of an anxiety attack or panic attack?

An anxiety or panic attack comes on suddenly. The attack can be so severe that many people think they are having a heart attack. During an attack, these physical and emotional symptoms may occur:

  • Pounding heart
  • Sweating, trembling or shaking
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Feeling dizzy or light-headed
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Feeling of choking
  • Chills or hot flashes
  • Nausea or abdominal pains

How is anxiety treated?

Anxiety symptoms are easy to treat. Counseling and medications are common ways to treat anxiety. You can seek treatment from a:

  • Psychiatrist – A medical doctor who talks about your symptoms with you and can prescribe medication if you need it.
  • Licensed Mental Health Professional – Has either a Doctorate degree or Master’s degree such as psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors who will treat emotional and mental suffering, but typically cannot prescribe medication.

A primary care doctor can also discuss your symptoms and prescribe medications. Stress management, meditation and support groups can help manage symptoms of anxiety too.

What are the different types of anxiety?

It is important to discuss all your symptoms with your doctor because there are different types of anxiety. He or she can better decide on the right treatment plan when you discuss all the symptoms.

  • Generalized Anxiety – Extreme worry about everyday tasks that lasts for months
  • Panic Disorder – Regular panic attacks that include extreme physical and emotional distress
  • Social Anxiety – A fear of social events where a person may be embarrassed, judged or rejected
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Recurring thoughts, ideas or feelings that make a person driven to do something over and over again
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Intense or disturbing thoughts and feelings related to a traumatic event experienced or witnessed   

Coverage

Health plan coverage for anxiety

Blue Cross and Blue Plus health plans typically cover mental health services. Coverage may be different for each plan and differs for inpatient or outpatient services. It is best to call the customer service number on the back of your ID card to get the details about your plan benefits.

Health plans typically cover medications that treat anxiety. Check your prescription drug benefits, including the formulary (the list of covered drugs), to make sure your prescription is covered.

Some Blue Cross plans include online treatment programs

Some Blue Cross or Blue Plus plans offer online programs that are lower-cost options to help treat the symptoms of your anxiety.

  • Learn to Live is an online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program covered by some Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans. This program starts with an online assessment, and then patients complete courses for specific conditions to recognize the problem and teach them how to better manage it.
  • Doctor On Demand is an online service. You can visit with a licensed psychologist or board-certified psychiatrist by using the video feature on your phone, tablet or computer. Mental health providers are available by appointment for help with anxiety.

Please contact the customer service number on the back of your ID card to verify coverage.

*Not all plans offer Learn to Live or Doctor On Demand. Some members may not have access to this program. Please contact customer service with the phone number on the back of your Blue Cross ID card to verify your coverage.