Life-changing online care for generalized anxiety disorder

Brightside is available to people 18 years and older in the states where Brightside operates who believe they may be experiencing depression and may benefit from treatment.

Remote care is not a good fit for people with certain conditions or situations. These include (but are not limited to):

• Previous suicide attempt or active suicide planning
• Ongoing, high risk self-harm behavior
• Recent involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric reasons
• Schizophrenia or any symptoms of psychosis
• Certain severities of Bipolar Disorder and symptoms of mania
• Substance abuse problems
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Eating disorder with high-risk symptoms
• Kidney or liver disease, seizures, or long QT (for Psychiatry plan only)

Our providers do not treat, and do not prescribe for adhd.

If any of these describe you, it’s best for you to be seen by a provider in person so you can get the care that’s right for you.

Brightside makes it easy to get top quality depression care from the privacy of home.

Here’s how Psychiatry works:

1. Take the assessment: Answer questions about yourself to provide the information your provider will need to thoroughly evaluate your situation.
2. Connect with a psychiatric provider: Get matched with an expert psychiatric provider for a comprehensive video consultation. Share how you’re feeling, then decide on the best next steps — together. These conversations normally last about 15 minutes to review your situation, discuss your care plan, and answer any questions you may have. 
3. Follow your care plan: If the provider chooses to prescribe, your medication will be sent to your local pharmacy. Your plan also includes digital therapy, and self-care tools you can use at your own pace.
4. Make progress: We’ll ask you to tell us about your symptoms and side effects weekly, allowing the provider to monitor your progress and make any necessary changes to your care plan, so you can get the best results.

Here’s how Therapy works:

1. Take the assessment: Tell us what you’re experiencing, and we’ll help you understand what it means.
2. Connect with a Therapist: Connect with an expert, licensed therapist by messaging and with access to one 30-minute video appointment included with your subscription each week (your first appointment with your therapist will be 45-minutes long). You will continue to have Unlimited messaging support and guidance to help you build skills and feel better.
   
3. Complete sessions: Complete personalized, self-paced audio lessons and practice exercises, building the evidence-based skills and habits you need to overcome your depression and anxiety.
4. Make Progress: Report back on what’s working well for you and where you want to go deeper with the option to purchase additional video sessions if you choose. Your therapist will help guide you through your personalized program so you see the best results.

When scheduling your first appointment, you can browse all of our available providers in your state. Take a look at their profiles and check open times to find the best fit for you. Every Brightside provider undergoes a rigorous hiring and vetting process to ensure the highest quality care.

Brightside currently accepts select insurance plans in various states for payment of your provider’s or therapist’s services. Please see below for a current listing of plans. Brightside may not be included in all plans that each health insurance company offers. Please contact your health insurance plan to verify that your care at Brightside will be covered.

We currently accept the following insurance plans:

• Cigna (all states, except MN)
• Aetna (nationwide)
• Allegience (nationwide)
• Anthem (CA only)
• United Health (select states)

If you are a new member signing up for services you can enter your insurance information during the sign-up process. We’ll let you know your eligibility, as well as you estimated co-pays and out-of-pocket costs (if any) before signing-up or scheduling.

We also accept HSA/FSA payment if you have one of those accounts. If you have questions about using your medical or prescription insurance benefits, please contact us by emailing [email protected].

GAD is diagnosed when someone has been experiencing excessive anxiety and worry about many issues, individuals, or events. They also may be experiencing difficulty controlling the feelings of worry, often shifting from one topic to another.

Additionally, at least three of the following symptoms must be present: general restlessness, fatigue or the feeling of being easily tired, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, irritability, and muscle aches or soreness.

GAD can be diagnosed by a doctor or medical professional. The medical professional’s evaluation will identify specific symptoms and explore medical and familial histories as well as cultural and environmental factors. In some cases, lab testing and blood work might be done to make sure the anxiety is not due to a medical condition like a thyroid problem or a vitamin deficiency.

Risk factors for developing GAD include:

Being female: Women are diagnosed with GAD twice as often as men. It may be tied to hormones, cultural expectations, and more willingness to visit doctors and talk about their anxiety.

Family history: Anxiety disorders may run in families. The risk of GAD may be higher if there is a family history of anxiety or mood disorders.

Substance abuse: Smoking, alcohol, and drug use can increase the risk of GAD.

Chronic illness: People with chronic illnesses have a greater risk of GAD.

History of stressful life events: GAD may be more likely in those with history of:

• A physically or emotionally traumatic event
• Poverty or oppression
• Childhood abuse or neglect; exposure to parental abuse or drug use or physical discipline
• Divorce, separation, or being widowed
• Lower education level

The fear and stress that many people suffering from general anxiety disorder experience can interfere with their daily lives. Even seemingly “simple” everyday tasks, such as commuting to work or speaking to a cashier, can trigger someone living with generalized anxiety disorder.

Here are some examples of how GAD affects daily life:

• Difficulty getting out of bed to attend school or work
• Excessive fear of meeting new people
• Trouble running routine errands 
• Inability to participate in a child’s school functions
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Struggling to focus on work tasks
• Failure to make important decisions
• Excessive fear of attending group gatherings
• Trouble maintaining relationships
• Inability to drive or fly on a plane

When a triggering event occurs, the anxiety can feel debilitating. Someone struggling with GAD may feel as though their anxiety controls and dominates their life. This feeling may lead to drug and alcohol use as a coping mechanism to self-medicate and quell their anxiety symptoms.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor to figure out the best path forward.

Managing life with anxiety can feel insurmountable at times. Fortunately, dealing with anxiety and living a happy, successful life is possible through a combination of professional help and self-care tips.

Professional anxiety management can include medication, psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy), or a combination of the two. Consult your provider, and have a conversation about the best treatment option for you.

In addition to medication and therapy, many people have also found self-care helpful in managing some symptoms effectively.

Self-care ideas for managing anxiety can include:

• Practicing deep breathing exercises
• Exercising regularly to reduce stress
• Getting adequate sleep
• Limiting caffeine intake
• Practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation
• Maintaining a daily routine to reduce uncertainty

The best outcomes are often achieved with a combination of treatments, including medication, therapy, and self-care.