BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a common and disabling condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Subsyndromal anxiety (SSA) refers to anxiety symptoms that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder but pose a risk for developing such disorders. We aimed to provide practical recommendations for the treatment of SSA in primary care settings. METHODS: A narrative review was conducted to identify strategies for recognizing and treating patients with SSA. RESULTS: The recommendations for treating SSA include lifestyle modifications such as exercise and stress reduction techniques, psychotherapy, and pharmacological treatments, including natural compounds like the lavender oil extract Silexan. Regular follow-up care is essential to monitor treatment response and address ongoing symptoms. Additionally, the use of the GAD-7 tool is recommended for accurately identifying patients with SSA. CONCLUSION: Implementing these recommendations in primary care can lead to effective treatment of SSA, preventing the development of more severe anxiety disorders. An integrative approach, combining lifestyle modifications, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, including natural compounds, offers significant benefits for managing anxiety.

Anxiety is prevalent and disablingSubsyndromal anxiety is a risk factor for anxiety disordersSubsyndromal anxiety can be assessed with the GAD-7 (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 scale)Subsyndromal anxiety can be treated with life-style modification, psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment, including silexan, a natural compound.

Clinical Unit of Mental Health Reina Sofia University Hospital Cordoba Spain

Department and Institute of Psychiatry Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Sao Paulo Sao Paulo Brazil

Department of Biological Sciences Humanitas University Milan Italy

Department of Family Medicine Semmelweis University Budapest Hungary

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Ludwig Maximilians Universität München Munich Germany; kbo Inn Salzach Klinikum Clinical Center for Psychiatry Psychotherapy Psychosomatic Medicine Geriatrics and Neurology Wasserburg am Inn Germany

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Göttingen Göttin gen Germany

Department of Psychological Medicine Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine National University of Singapore Singapore

Faculty of Health Care Studies University of West Bohemia Pilsen The Czech Republic

Health Economy Unit National Institute of Mental Health Mexico City Mexico

Institute of Behavioural Sciences Semmelweis University Budapest Hungary

Psychiatric Services Solothurn and Faculty of Medicine University of Basel Basel Switzerland

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