Are meds a good option for anxiety disorders if you can t afford cognitive behaviour therapy?

There's a lot to be be said for therapy. Studies show that, for most patients, CBT is more effective than medication, and even carefully selected readings based on CBT are helpful for many people. Also, there are the side effects. Some people have bad reactions to antidepressants. The benzodiapazine drugs - tranquilizers like ativan and xanax - have limited usefulness, risky because people can become addicted. These tranquilizers are deceptive. They seem harmless because they just make you feel normal, not high, but addiction is a very serious problem.

First, I'd suggest considering all your options. You say you can't afford CBT. Are you sure? Remember - this is often available as group therapy, which is much less costly than individual therapy. Some therapists have sliding slides that accommodate different people. Google "affordable psychotherapy" for your locality and investigate if there might be state services or a charity that could help. You could call local churches that might have information or crisis hotlines.

With regard to readings based on CBT, I can name several. The Feeling Good Handbook by psychiatrist and CBT expert David Burns is often recommend by professionals. This answer has details about other proven self-help methods - MoodGYM and Recovery International (under DEPRESSION TREATMENTS) -

/question/index?qid=20150...

Also, there are fairly simple stress management methods that would do no harm and might do a lot of good.

The best stress management is personal - finding out what bothers you and dealing with it as best you can.

This answer has details about proven mind-body methods.

/question/index?qid=20161...

That's incredibly risky as the meds have some serious side-effects.

NO medication is going to help you more than CBT. Especially with anxiety disorders. They're helped the MOST by CBT and only minorly with medication unless the disorder is really bad.

I'm guessing that if you are cognizant enough to post this quandry, your disorder is not major but like most, fairly minor.

I suggest looking for a cheaper therapist.