Who it is for
Adults whose worry, tension or fear has become constant or comes in attacks; people avoiding places, people or situations because of it; people whose anxiety has not responded to what their GP could offer; and people who have been taking tranquillisers or sleeping tablets for longer than anyone intended. Anxiety often brings poor sleep, a racing heart, stomach trouble or exhaustion, and it frequently travels with depression.
How the assessment works
Dr Szigeti
Anxiety takes many forms, and the form matters for treatment: generalised anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias, health anxiety. I also look for what often comes with it — depression, ADHD, alcohol used to cope — and for the things that mimic or feed it: thyroid and heart conditions, caffeine, poor sleep, some medicines. The findings are explained clearly, whether or not a diagnosis is made.
Validated scales such as the GAD-7 and the DASS-42 give a baseline and track progress; the diagnosis is made against DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 criteria. Before you meet, you complete the Pre-Assessment Form at home: it saves time during the appointment and helps Dr Szigeti tailor your care from the first meeting. Return it by hand when you meet or through the encrypted upload link we send you, never by email or WhatsApp. The appointment can be in person or by secure video.
Treatment options
- Medication. Chosen with you for the form your anxiety takes, started at a low dose and increased slowly to avoid an early increase in anxiety, and reviewed in thirty-minute follow-ups.
- Tranquillisers and sleeping tablets. Helpful for a short period when Dr Szigeti judges they are needed, but not a long-term treatment. If you have been taking them for a long time, a planned, gradual reduction with support: see Medication review and reduction.
- Practical measures. Sleep, caffeine and alcohol, breathing, and gradual exposure to what you avoid, planned with you and reviewed together.
- Psychological therapy, alongside. Cognitive behavioural therapy can complement the treatment Dr Szigeti provides; where he thinks it would help, he refers you to a therapist and works alongside them.
All treatment options are discussed with you before anything is prescribed or started, including their risks and benefits.
Fees
| Appointment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Psychiatric assessment, one hour | €500 |
| Follow-up appointment, thirty minutes | €180 |
Laya Healthcare, Vhi, Irish Life and other insurers may cover part of the cost. Fees and insurance