Skills not pills: learning to cope with anxiety symptoms

A pilot project to assess the benefit of a psychology service in general practice for patients with anxiety is described. A course of lessons in ;anxiety management skills' was provided at two practices. At a follow-up appointment one year later two thirds of the 35 patients studied had stopped taking anxiolytic medication and two thirds reported an elimination of their anxiety symptoms. It is proposed that a psychology service be provided for general practitioners, in health centres and health clinics, as a possible alternative to repeat prescribing of anxiolytic medication.