PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Elias Khawam AU - Hassan Khouli AU - Leo Pozuelo TI - Treating acute anxiety in patients with COVID-19 AID - 10.3949/ccjm.87a.ccc016 DP - 2020 May 14 TA - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 4099 - http://www.ccjm.org/content/early/2020/05/12/ccjm.87a.ccc016.short 4100 - http://www.ccjm.org/content/early/2020/05/12/ccjm.87a.ccc016.full AB - At present, there are no firm guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19–related emotional distress. The current approach is based on our knowledge of how to manage anxiety in medically ill patients, taking into consideration all associated medical comorbidities, drug-drug interactions, and the patient’s specific needs and preexisting mental illness. Interventions should be implemented at the bedside to augment the patient’s own resiliency in coping with these stressful events. A targeted combination of psychopharmacology (targeting acute anxiety and panic symptoms) and psychotherapy (relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and encouragement) is recommended.