Dr. Elchin Gajiev - Board Certified Psychiatrist Serving New York for Over 20 Years
Anxiety Psychiatrist in New York
Expert psychiatric insights, evaluations, medication management from a Board-Certified Physician.
Comprehensive, confidential, evidence-based care virtually accessible from the comfort of your home.
Convenient, Confidential Telepsychiatry
When Anxiety Stops Being a Feeling & Starts Running Your Life
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. A job interview, a difficult conversation, a decision with real consequences—these situations naturally produce worry and tension. That’s normal. That’s your nervous system doing what it’s designed to do.
But when anxiety becomes constant—when you wake up with dread, when your mind races through worst-case scenarios on a loop, when the physical symptoms (tight chest, shallow breathing, stomach in knots) show up even when nothing is objectively wrong—that’s something different. That’s an anxiety disorder, and it deserves proper evaluation and treatment.
Dr. Elchin Gajiev is a board-certified psychiatrist providing comprehensive anxiety evaluation and evidence-based medication management for adults across New York State through secure, HIPAA-compliant telepsychiatry.
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions in adults, yet they remain widely underdiagnosed and undertreated. They are not a personality trait or a sign of weakness—they are medical conditions involving the brain’s threat-detection systems, and they respond to proper treatment.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, and each has its own pattern. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves persistent, excessive worry about everyday situations that is difficult to control and often accompanied by physical symptoms like muscle tension, fatigue, and sleep disruption. Social Anxiety Disorder involves intense fear of social situations and being judged by others. Panic Disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, and a feeling of losing control. Specific phobias involve intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
Many adults with anxiety disorders have lived with their symptoms for so long that they assume this is just how they’re wired. It isn’t. These conditions are treatable.
How Can a Psychiatrist Help with Anxiety?
A psychiatrist evaluates anxiety from a medical perspective, assessing not only your psychological symptoms but also any physical or neurological factors that may be contributing. Anxiety can be driven or worsened by thyroid conditions, hormonal changes, medication side effects, and other medical issues that a thorough evaluation can identify.
Dr. Gajiev takes a whole-person approach to anxiety care. During your evaluation, he considers the full picture—your symptoms, your medical history, your sleep, your stress levels, and any co-occurring conditions like depression or ADHD—to develop a treatment recommendation tailored specifically to you.
While therapy (particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy) is highly effective for anxiety, medication management plays an important complementary role for many patients. Some patients benefit from medication alone, while others find the greatest relief from a combination of medication and therapy. Dr. Gajiev collaborates closely with therapists to ensure a coordinated approach.
What to Expect in Your Anxiety Evaluation
Your initial evaluation is a 60-minute virtual appointment designed to give Dr. Gajiev a thorough understanding of your experience. This is not a brief screening—it’s a comprehensive clinical assessment.
During your evaluation, Dr. Gajiev will:
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Explore the nature, frequency, and severity of your anxiety symptoms
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Assess whether your anxiety fits a specific diagnostic pattern (GAD, panic disorder, social anxiety, etc.)
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Screen for co-occurring conditions that often accompany anxiety, including depression, ADHD, and insomnia
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Review your medical history for any physical contributors to your symptoms
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Discuss your goals for treatment and develop a personalized plan
You’ll leave your evaluation with a clear diagnosis, an understanding of your options, and a concrete path forward.
What Medications Are Used to Treat Anxiety?
Several categories of medication are effective for anxiety disorders. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are often first-line treatments for generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder. Buspirone is another option for generalized anxiety that works differently from SSRIs. In some cases, short-term or as-needed medications may be appropriate for acute anxiety or panic episodes.
Dr. Gajiev carefully selects medication based on your specific diagnosis, symptom severity, medical history, and preferences. He takes a conservative, evidence-based approach—starting at the lowest effective dose and adjusting thoughtfully over time during follow-up appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety
How Do I Know If My Anxiety Needs Medication?
If anxiety is significantly interfering with your work, relationships, sleep, or daily functioning—and self-management strategies aren’t providing enough relief—a psychiatric evaluation can help determine whether medication would be beneficial. Medication doesn’t replace healthy coping strategies; it creates the neurological stability that makes those strategies more effective.
What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Therapist for Anxiety??
A therapist provides talk-based treatment (such as CBT) to help you change thought patterns and behaviors. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose anxiety disorders, prescribe medication, and monitor your physical response to treatment. Many patients benefit from working with both. Dr. Gajiev coordinates with therapists to provide integrated care.
Can Anxiety Be Treated Entirely Through Telepsychiatry?
Yes. Telepsychiatry is highly effective for anxiety evaluation and medication management. Virtual appointments provide the same quality of clinical assessment while offering the convenience of receiving care from home—which can be especially helpful for patients whose anxiety makes in-person visits stressful.
How Long Does Anxiety Medication Take to Work?
SSRIs and SNRIs typically take 2–4 weeks to begin showing full therapeutic effects, with some improvement often noticeable within the first week or two. Dr. Gajiev monitors your progress closely during the early weeks of treatment and adjusts as needed to find the right fit.
Practice Areas
Our practice offers a range of online psychiatric services to support your health and well-being, including:
Comprehensive Initial Psychiatric Evaluation
An in-depth initial evaluation to assess, understand, and design a treatment plan that addresses your individual goals and needs.
Confidential Online Telehealth Sessions
Secure video appointments that fit your schedule from the comfort and convenience of your home, office, laptop, or mobile device.
Ongoing Support &
Medication Management
Thoughtful prescribing with careful follow-up, side effect monitoring, and adjustments based on your responses to ensure fitting, effective treatment.
Care Team
Collaboration
We work closely with your primary care physician, therapist, and other healthcare providers to ensure alignment and coordination of care.
Have questions about our telepsychiatric services in New York — appointments, insurance, or medications?
Please visit our FAQs page to find your answers.
Clear & Transparent Pricing
To provide the highest standard of comprehensive and unhurried care, Dr. Gajiev primarily provides out-of-network, private-pay services through our virtual practice.
Private Pay Rates
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Initial Psychiatric Evaluation: $350
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Follow-Up Medication Management Visit: $150
Out-of-Network Benefits (Superbills):
We provide automated, detailed "superbills" after your sessions. If you have out-of-network mental health benefits (such as a PPO plan), you can easily submit these documents to your insurance provider for potential direct reimbursement. Please check with your coverage to ensure eligibility for reimbursement.
How To Get Started
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Step 1. Brief Inquiry: Submit our secure online inquiry form below. This takes less than two minutes.
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Step 2. Prompt Review: Our office will review your request within 1-3 business days. If our telepsychiatry services are a clinical fit for your needs, we will reach out to schedule your initial 60-minute evaluation.
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Step 3. Secure Medical Intake: Before your appointment, you will complete a comprehensive digital intake packet via our Patient Fusion portal. This ensures Dr. Gajiev has the necessary time to thoroughly review your medical history prior to your video session.
Contact
To set up your initial appointment with our practice, please complete the inquiry form below:
My office will aim to respond to you within 1-3 business days.
Thank you very much.
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