Quick Answer
Anxiety treatment in South Carolina works well when it fits the type of anxiety you have. Dr. Gabriella Farkas, MD PhD, and her team see adults statewide by secure telehealth or in Bluffton, starting with a 30 to 60 minute evaluation, then a plan that may include therapy, medication or both.
Key Takeaways
- About a third of U.S. adolescents and adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, according to NIMH.
- Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety and phobias are treated differently, so the diagnosis comes before the plan.
- NIMH describes cognitive behavioral therapy as the gold-standard psychotherapy for GAD and panic disorder; SSRIs and SNRIs are common first medications.
- Benzodiazepines can reduce anxiety quickly, but NIMH notes tolerance and dependence can develop, so they're usually prescribed only for brief periods.
- You must be physically in South Carolina or New York during a telehealth visit, and the practice is in-network with Aetna and Cigna.
01 · OverviewWhat anxiety care looks like in South Carolina
Anxiety care in South Carolina starts with a psychiatric evaluation that sorts out what kind of anxiety you’re dealing with, whether something else is driving it, and what’s already been tried. This page is the South Carolina hub for that work, under our South Carolina psychiatric care resource. The national generalized anxiety and panic attacks pages cover the conditions themselves in more depth.
An anxiety disorder is anxiety that doesn't go away, shows up in many situations, and can get worse over time, to the point that it interferes with work, relationships or daily life.
Normal worry vs. an anxiety disorder
Everyone worries about health, money, work or family sometimes. NIMH draws the line where anxiety stops being occasional: in an anxiety disorder, it doesn’t go away, is felt in many situations, and can get worse over time. In severe cases, people feel intense fear in ordinary situations, avoid social encounters, or stop leaving home. The question isn’t whether you worry, but whether worry has started running your life.
Why the type matters
Generalized anxiety disorder is persistent worry across many areas of life. Panic disorder is recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and the fear of having more. Social anxiety disorder centers on being watched and judged. Phobias are intense fears of specific things or situations. Each has its own pattern, and the most effective therapy and medication choices differ. Medical conditions like thyroid problems, caffeine and some medications can also cause anxiety, so the evaluation checks for them.
South Carolina anxiety guides
31 in-depth guidesThis page is the starting point. The guides below each take one question further, from what anxiety does to the body to how medication decisions get made and what care costs. Start with the three most-read, or browse by category.
Start Here
Browse by Category
Symptoms and patterns
Related conditions
Treatment decisions
- SSRI vs SNRI as First-Line for Anxiety
- Benzodiazepines vs Buspirone: Trade-Offs
- PRN vs Daily Anxiety Medication
- Beta-Blockers vs Benzos for Performance Anxiety
- Hydroxyzine as a Non-Controlled Anxiety Alternative
- Therapy vs Medication for Mild Anxiety
- CBT vs Medication for Panic Disorder
- Gabapentin Off-Label for Anxiety: Evidence Review
- When to Switch Anxiety Medication vs Augment
Life situations
The complete index: every South Carolina anxiety guide
02Types of anxiety, and why the label changes the plan
NIMH groups the main anxiety disorders as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and phobia-related disorders. Our guides on phobias and agoraphobia walk through two of them in detail.
Generalized anxiety disorder
NIMH describes GAD as worrying more often or more intensely than the situation calls for, about everyday things like work, health, money and family. To be diagnosed, worry must be hard to control on most days for at least six months, with at least three symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension or sleep problems. It often begins in early adulthood and is more common in women. Our national generalized anxiety page covers it in depth.
Panic, social anxiety and phobias
Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, plus at least a month of worry about more attacks or changes in behavior to avoid them. Social anxiety disorder is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged. Specific phobias are intense fears of particular objects or situations, such as flying, heights, needles or animals. NIMH notes psychotherapy, particularly exposure-based CBT, is the primary treatment for phobias. See our social anxiety page for more.
03When anxiety feels physical
Many people first meet anxiety in their body: a pounding heart, a tight chest, shortness of breath, an upset stomach, trembling, headaches or nights of broken sleep. NIMH lists pain such as headaches, muscle aches and stomachaches, sweating, lightheadedness and feeling out of breath among the symptoms of GAD, and chest pain, dizziness and a racing heart among the symptoms of a panic attack. Our guide on physical symptoms of anxiety explains why, and our chest pain guide covers when to rule out the heart first.
The pattern
Repeated trips to urgent care or the ER, normal test results, and symptoms that keep coming back. The body keeps sounding an alarm that nothing seems to explain.
The evaluation
Medical causes are checked first or coordinated with your doctor. Then the pattern is mapped: what triggers symptoms, what you avoid, and how much worry follows.
The plan
A treatment plan aimed at the anxiety itself, often CBT plus medication when needed, with a clear rule for which symptoms still mean calling 911. Results vary by person.
New patients are usually seen within two to four weeks, by video anywhere in South Carolina or in Bluffton.
Request an evaluation04Choosing medication for anxiety
NIMH lists SSRIs and SNRIs among the medications used for GAD and panic disorder, along with anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines and buspirone, and beta-blockers for some situations. Our SSRI vs. SNRI guide covers the usual first choice, and the national anti-anxiety medications page explains the classes.
Benzodiazepines and buspirone
NIMH notes benzodiazepines can be very effective at rapidly decreasing anxiety, but some people build tolerance and need higher doses, and some become dependent, so providers may prescribe them only for brief periods. Buspirone isn’t a sedative, has less potential to be addictive, and needs three to four weeks to be fully effective. Our guide on benzodiazepines vs. buspirone weighs the trade-offs.
Therapy is a first-line treatment
For many anxiety disorders, therapy is a first-line treatment, not a fallback. NIMH calls CBT the gold-standard psychotherapy for GAD and panic disorder, and exposure therapy is particularly effective for phobias. Dr. Farkas focuses on evaluation and medication management and coordinates with therapists. See CBT vs. medication for panic disorder.
05Your first 90 days of care
Here’s how care usually runs in the first three months. It’s a general outline, not a promise about timing or results, because every plan follows the diagnosis and your response. What stays the same is the structure: a thorough start, measured check-ins, and a review once there’s enough information to judge.
Evaluation and a starting plan
A 30 to 60 minute evaluation covers your symptoms, triggers, avoidance, medical factors, caffeine and substances, and prior treatment. You leave with a working diagnosis and a plan you agree with, often including therapy, medication or both.
Measure and adjust
Follow-ups track anxiety symptoms and side effects. SSRIs and SNRIs can take several weeks to start working, so early visits focus on tolerability and dose. Therapy skills start to take hold.
Review the plan
There's usually enough time to judge progress. The next step is decided together: continue, adjust the dose, switch, add therapy or add a second approach.
06Telehealth and in-person care across South Carolina
Every visit can happen by secure video, so where you live in South Carolina doesn’t limit access. For people whose anxiety makes leaving home or sitting in a waiting room hard, that can make the first step much easier. In-person appointments are available at the Bluffton office. NIMH notes psychotherapy for GAD and panic disorder can be effective in person or by telehealth.
The location rule
State licensing law applies to where you are during the visit. You need to be physically in South Carolina, or in New York, at the time of your appointment. If you’ll be traveling, tell the office before the visit so it can be rescheduled.
Why access matters here
An anxiety psychiatrist in South Carolina can be a video call away, wherever you live in the state. South Carolina had 247.8 mental health providers per 100,000 people in September 2025, compared with 362.6 nationally, according to America’s Health Rankings. Telehealth doesn’t solve a workforce gap, but it means distance to a specialist isn’t the barrier.
| Core feature | First-line approaches (per NIMH) | Our guides | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generalized anxiety disorder | Hard-to-control worry most days for 6+ months | CBT; SSRIs or SNRIs; buspirone | Therapy vs. medication |
| Panic disorder | Recurrent unexpected attacks plus fear of more | CBT with exposure; SSRIs or SNRIs | CBT vs. medication for panic |
| Social anxiety disorder | Fear of being watched and judged | CBT; medication for some | Performance anxiety |
| Specific phobia | Intense fear of a specific object or situation | Exposure-based CBT; medication in specific situations | Phobias page |
07Anxiety at different points in life
Anxiety looks different for a caregiver, a new retiree and a nurse on nights. Our guides cover caregivers, retirees who’ve relocated and nurses.
Pregnancy and later life
NIMH notes some women experience GAD during pregnancy and the postpartum period; our post on postpartum anxiety covers that time. In later life, anxiety can overlap with memory concerns, which our guide on late-life anxiety explains.
When anxiety comes with something else
NIMH notes GAD often co-occurs with depression, other anxiety disorders, PTSD, chronic pain and cardiovascular problems, and is commonly associated with alcohol and substance misuse. See anxiety and depression together and substance-induced anxiety. Our health anxiety post covers worry about illness itself.
08Cost, coverage and getting started
The practice is in-network with Aetna and Cigna. For other plans, patients can pay directly and request a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement; our superbill guide explains how. Self-pay fees are on the Good Faith Estimate page, and IRS Publication 502 lists psychiatric care as a medical expense for FSA and HSA purposes.
Choosing a clinician
New patients can schedule with Dr. Farkas or with Jennifer Reilly, PMHNP-BC, who generally has the earliest availability. Both follow the same clinical standards.
What to bring
A list of every medication you’ve taken for anxiety, with doses and how long you took them, and any records from prior providers. Note your caffeine and alcohol use, and any ER visits for symptoms like chest pain. The new patient page covers forms and telehealth setup.
The Bottom Line
Anxiety disorders are common in South Carolina and treatable, but treatment has to fit the type of anxiety. Start with a thorough evaluation that rules out look-alikes, expect therapy to be part of the plan, and use medication thoughtfully, especially benzodiazepines. If you're not sure where to begin, the symptom guides above are a good next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at a first anxiety evaluation?
A first anxiety evaluation runs 30 to 60 minutes, by secure video anywhere in South Carolina or in person in Bluffton. Your clinician asks what your anxiety feels like, what triggers it, what you avoid, and how it affects work, sleep and relationships. Caffeine, alcohol, medications and medical causes like thyroid problems are reviewed, because they can cause or worsen anxiety. That full picture helps tell panic disorder, generalized anxiety and social anxiety apart. You'll leave with a working diagnosis and a treatment plan you've agreed to.
Does insurance cover anxiety treatment at this practice?
The practice is in-network with Aetna and Cigna, which covers anxiety evaluations and follow-up medication management visits. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's copay and deductible, so a quick call to your insurer before the first visit helps avoid surprises. For other plans, you can pay directly and request a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement. Self-pay fees are listed on the Good Faith Estimate page. Our guide on the cost of panic disorder treatment explains what to expect over the course of care.
Will I be prescribed a benzodiazepine for anxiety?
Not necessarily, NIMH notes benzodiazepines can reduce anxiety quickly, but tolerance and dependence can develop, so providers may prescribe them only for brief periods. SSRIs, SNRIs and buspirone are common longer-term options, and CBT is often part of the plan. Benzodiazepines are controlled substances with specific prescribing and refill rules, which your clinician will explain before any decision. Our guide on hydroxyzine and other non-benzodiazepine options covers alternatives. Never stop a benzodiazepine suddenly if you already take one, since withdrawal can be serious.
Can a panic attack hurt me?
NIMH notes panic attacks themselves are not life-threatening, and the physical symptoms usually pass within minutes. The problem is that chest pain, shortness of breath and a racing heart can also be signs of a heart attack or another medical emergency. If you have chest discomfort or other heart attack warning signs, especially for the first time, call 911 rather than assuming it's panic. Once medical causes have been ruled out, panic disorder is very treatable with CBT, medication or both. Many people find their attacks become less frequent and less frightening with treatment.
How long does anxiety medication take to work?
It depends on the medication. NIMH notes SSRIs and SNRIs may take several weeks to start working, and buspirone needs three to four weeks to be fully effective. Benzodiazepines act quickly, but because of dependence risk they're usually a short-term bridge rather than the main treatment. Some people feel a little more anxious in the first week or two on an SSRI, which usually settles. Early follow-up helps manage side effects while longer-acting treatment takes hold.
What should I do in an anxiety crisis?
If anxiety comes with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any hour. If you might be having a heart attack or another medical emergency, call 911, since panic and cardiac symptoms can overlap. For an intense panic attack without medical warning signs, slow breathing and grounding techniques can help while it passes. Outpatient anxiety care isn't set up for emergencies, so use these services first. Once things settle, the practice can help you build a plan for future attacks.
How We Reviewed This Page
This page was written by Steven Lockhart of Health Marketing Group and clinically reviewed by Gabriella I. Farkas, MD PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist. Clinical information comes from the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Heart Association; access data from America's Health Rankings. The page is reviewed every 180 days or when guidance changes.
What's new: September 29, 2026. Page published.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety Disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
- National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know (revised 2025). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad
- National Institute of Mental Health. Panic Disorder: What You Need to Know (revised 2025). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms
- National Institute of Mental Health. Phobias and Phobia-Related Disorders (2025). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/phobias-and-phobia-related-disorders
- America's Health Rankings. Mental Health Providers in South Carolina (analysis of CMS NPPES, September 2025). https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/MHP/SC
- American Heart Association. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org