Hims Mental Health Review – Is it Legit for Anxiety & Depression?

These days more and more people are experiencing anxiety or depression around the world. In fact, anxiety-related disorders are now the most common mental illness in the U.S. Anxiety and depression are often related, with almost half of patients diagnosed with depression also suffering from some form of anxiety disorder, such as social anxiety.

Chronic nervousness, irritability, constant tension or poor sleep and difficulties concentrating are all symptoms which both anxiety and depression have in common. In this article, we’ll review Hims‘ treatments for both anxiety and depression, and compare it with other leading providers in the mental telehealth space to help you decide if their online psychiatric services are right for you.

Reminder: the worst thing you can do is to leave anxiety or depression untreated.

Though stigma around mental health has been decreasing progressively over the past few years, it remains all too common for people to keep mental health issues to themselves. There’s still too much fear of judgement around one’s emotions and feelings – especially amongst men who assume it makes them seem weak to admit vulnerability.

The honest truth, however, is mental health is a spectrum: neither fixed at once nor broken permanently, rather it evolves through life as people experience highs and lows. Ignoring chronic anxiety or depression can have serious repercussions in the long run, and mental fitness should be looked after just like any other aspect of one’s health.

The good news? Thanks to innovative telehealth companies like Hims, it’s now possible to access affordable mental health care from licensed professionals, if that is what the medical professional decides is best for you, and from anywhere in the world thanks to the internet. 

What are the typical remedies used to treat anxiety and depression?

Anxiety disorders and depression are highly treatable, yet only a minority of those suffering from them ever get treatment. There are a range of treatment options available, all of which have their own benefits and considerations. 

1. Therapy

One such treatment is the now-famous Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of talking therapy whereby the patient is encouraged to break down the problems causing anxious and depressive thoughts into five specific component parts: situations, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings, and actions. 

By examining each element over the course of a 5-to-20-week plan, it is possible to reframe a problem and perceive situations in a more positive light. In this way, the patient is reducing (and eventually extinguishing) the feelings of anxiety and depression such situations were giving rise to in the first place.

Other forms of treatment include natural remedies and Rx medication.

2.  Mindfulness

Natural remedies tend to include giving more structure to one’s day-to-day life, defining goals, and embedding regular exercise into the day. Sticking to a clear structure and working towards goals help to regain a sense of control over one’s life, and better manage emotional responses to stressful events as a result.

Mindfulness techniques around accepting and living in the present moment without judgment are also used to address mild symptoms. Choosing a healthy diet is yet another form of natural remedy, as is improving sleep quality without resorting to medication of any kind.

3. Rx Medication

Several medications, such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines, are used to help treat anxiety and depression. Antidepressants typically take 2 to 4 weeks to take full effect, and the age of the individual can influence which type of medication is best. 

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which function by boosting serotonin levels in the brain, are the most popular form of antidepressant medication when it comes to anxiety disorders, across both young people and older populations. The most common examples of such medication are sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram and bupropion.

What are the potential side effects from anxiety meds?

It’s important to bear in mind the potential unwanted effects before embarking on a treatment plan. Any of the above treatments needs to be carefully weighed against their common side effects, which can have more or less significant repercussions on users.

For instance, CBT has been shown (in the most severe cases) to cause “suicidality, breakups, negative feedback from family members, withdrawal from relatives, feelings of shame or guilt, or intensive crying and emotional disturbance during sessions” amongst patients. 

This is due to the fact that such forms of therapy expose patients to anxiety-inducing scenarios, albeit gradually, which can trigger such emotional reactions. A study from Cognitive Therapy and Research has revealed that as much as 43% of CBT patients have experienced “unwanted side effects” from their therapy.

On the other hand, natural remedies tend to be harmless: there is nothing potentially toxic about meditating or engaging in self-reflection on a regular basis. However, the results they achieve can be limited, especially when symptoms are advanced and require further intervention. 

Finally, every medication available to treat anxiety and depression presents their own list of potential side effects to watch out for. Antidepressants, for instance, may lead to several unwanted effects. These includes dizziness, indigestion, headaches or low sex drive and erectile dysfunction.

Such side effects are documented in the medication documentation, and there are several online resources which people suffering from anxiety and depression can use to understand their pros and cons. 

Before taking any medication-based treatment, it’s always prudent to check with a healthcare professional who knows the patient’s circumstances well and will advise accordingly.

What does Hims offer for anxiety and depression?

Hims (NYSE:HIMS)  — the consumer health brand seen as a pioneer in the field of telehealth with their cheeky ads for men’s hair loss and ED meds — began their first foray into mental health services with the launch of their holistic treatments for anxiety and depression. This move has come in response to heightened demand as the global pandemic wreaked havoc on many people’s mental health.

So what exactly does Hims offer those who are feeling overly tense or down, day after day? It’s a combination of  helpful content, anonymous online group therapy, Rx medication when appropriate, and *soon* access to a licensed therapist 1-1.

How to get treatment for anxiety from hims

Currently, Hims provides online group therapy and can prescribe antidepressants. Regardless of which ends up being best for you, the process typically starts with a free virtual psychiatric evaluation which helps Hims’ doctors determine the right course of treatment.

Hers also offers mental health services including psychiatry services, online therapy, and mental health supplements.   

Source: Hims & Hers

What medications can Hims prescribe for anxiety?

Hims prescribes the following anxiety and depression medications based on your online doctor’s visit:

• Sertraline (generic for Zoloft)
• Bupropion XL (generic for Wellbutrin XL®)
• Citalopram (generic for Celexa®)
• Duloxetine (generic for Cymbalta®)
• Escitalopram (generic for Lexapro®)
• Fluoxetine (generic for Prozac®)
• Paroxetine (generic for Paxil®)
• Venlafaxine (generic for Effexor®)
• Propranolol for social or performance anxiety 

Such drugs have been proven to reduce feelings of fear and anxiety, as well as the constant agitation which are commonly experienced by people who suffer from anxiety or depression. For those who are not suffering from any suicidal behavior or have not been subjected to otherwise traumatic events, they are commonly recommended by doctors as effective treatment options.

Roman is another men’s telehealth provider that now offers Ro Mind, which focuses on prescription medication for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Read our full Ro mind review to learn more.

Online group therapy from Hims & Hers  –  What’s it like?

Hims virtual therapy sessions are anonymous support groups accessible online or via phone, led by licensed mental health practitioners. In the current times, having the ability to reach out for help digitally and discreetly is a real benefit – and is something that healthcare systems around the world have been actively promoting. Regardless of where users are located, they are able to get the help and treatment they need. If you think talking to someone about your problems might  help — or maybe you’re just open to trying anything to feel better — Hims anonymous group therapy sessions might be just what you need.

What makes Hims’ anxiety meds and therapies attractive for its many customers? 

• Affordability: products are up to 80% cheaper compared to retail prices, and a free  psychiatric consultation is included which alone might set you back a couple hundred dollars if you were to seek in-person help from a specialist.
• Flexibility: the subscription model means customers have full control over how frequently they receive their treatment (which can be paused, re-started or cancelled at will). All for a single, transparent flat fee.
• Convenience: medications are shipped directly to customers’ home, and are designed and packaged in a way that’s unassuming, in case you’re worried about what others might think. On top of this, customers are eligible for a full refund with Hims’ generous 90-day money-back guarantee. Overall, Hims makes it easier than ever to start treatment for the anxiety so many of us are feeling these days.

Hims vs Brightside and similar telemedicine services for anxiety & depression

 Let’s see how Hims online mental health treatment compares to other telehealth competitors like Cerebral, Lemonaid, and Brightside  — all of which also prescribe antidepressants online for anxiety and depression.