Do I Have Anxiety or OCD? How to Tell — and What Meds Help Each
If you’re struggling with persistent worries or repetitive behaviors, you might ask yourself: Do I have anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Understanding the differences between these conditions is key to getting the right treatment — including medication management.
At Dignity Brain Health, we provide expert tele-psychiatry medication management for Massachusetts residents — including Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, Somerville, and Back Bay — as well as New Hampshire and Florida. Whether you’re searching for psychiatric medication near me, a mental health clinician online, or wondering how to get anxiety meds without therapy, this guide will help you understand your symptoms and medication options.
What Is Anxiety and How Does It Differ from OCD?
Anxiety and OCD are often confused but are distinct mental health disorders.
What Is Anxiety?
Characterized by excessive worry or fear
Common types: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder
Symptoms include restlessness, rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating
What Is OCD?
Involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions)
Compulsions are performed to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions
Symptoms often include rituals like repeated handwashing, checking, or counting
How to Tell If You Have Anxiety or OCD
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Persistent and excessive worry
Feeling “on edge” or restless
Panic attacks or sudden intense fear
Physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or heart palpitations
Common Symptoms of OCD
Intrusive, disturbing thoughts (e.g., contamination fears)
Repetitive rituals or mental acts (e.g., checking, counting)
Feeling compelled to perform compulsions despite knowing they’re excessive
Significant interference with daily life
Why Getting the Right Diagnosis Matters
Correct diagnosis is essential because:
Treatment approaches differ — especially medication choices
Misdiagnosis can delay effective relief
Tailored treatment leads to better long-term outcomes
Licensed providers, such as psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners, can distinguish anxiety from OCD through careful assessment.
Medications That Help: Anxiety vs. OCD
Medications Commonly Used for Anxiety
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): Sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine
SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors): Venlafaxine, duloxetine
Benzodiazepines: Short-term use only (e.g., lorazepam)
Buspirone: Non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic
Medications Commonly Used for OCD
SSRIs: Higher doses of fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine
Clomipramine: A tricyclic antidepressant effective for OCD
Antipsychotic augmentation: For treatment-resistant OCD (e.g., risperidone)
How Medication Works
Psychiatric medications help balance brain chemicals linked to mood and anxiety regulation. For OCD, higher doses and longer treatment duration are often required.
Tele-Psychiatry Medication Management at Dignity Brain Health
At Dignity Brain Health, we provide:
Comprehensive evaluations through secure video sessions
Personalized diagnosis and treatment plans
Medication options explained clearly with side effect management
Ongoing follow-up and dose adjustments
Genetic testing to optimize medication choice (Learn More)
Our providers serve patients throughout Florida and Massachusetts—including Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, Somerville, and Back Bay—via convenient telehealth.
Common Patient Questions
Can I get anxiety meds without therapy?
Yes. While therapy is beneficial, many patients receive medication-only treatment through telehealth with our licensed providers.
How do I find a psychiatrist online near me?
Our Massachusetts-licensed team provides tele-psychiatry medication management statewide.
Will medication change my personality?
Medications aim to reduce symptoms while preserving your true self. Most patients report feeling more balanced, not “numb.”
Local Mental Health Resources in Massachusetts
NAMI Massachusetts: Support and education (NAMI Mass)
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health: Public mental health programs
Harvard Medical School, Mass General, McLean Hospital: Leading psychiatric research and care
If you live in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, or Somerville, you have access to top-tier care and resources.
Why Choose Dignity Brain Health?
Expert psychiatric medication management across MA, NH, and FL
Convenient telehealth care—no commute, flexible scheduling
Personalized care informed by latest research and genetic testing
Compassionate support for anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD, and more
Visit our About Us page to learn more.
Take the Next Step: Book Your Appointment Online
If you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety or OCD, or wondering if medication can help, get expert tele-psychiatry care today.
👉 Start your your online psychiatric medication consultation process now
References
Abramowitz, J. S., Taylor, S., & McKay, D. (2009). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Lancet, 374(9688), 491–499. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60240-3
Baldwin, D. S., Anderson, I. M., Nutt, D. J., Bandelow, B., Bond, A., Davidson, J. R., ... & Wittchen, H. U. (2014). Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(5), 403-439. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881114525674
Fineberg, N. A., Dell'Osso, B., Albert, U., et al. (2020). Early intervention for obsessive compulsive disorder: An expert consensus statement. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 33, 33-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.02.007
Stein, D. J., Craske, M. G., Friedman, M. J., et al. (2021). Treatment of anxiety disorders. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 7(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-021-00262-9