figuring out mental health treatment options that actually fit your situation is harder than expected

Getting diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder was validating but also overwhelming because suddenly there's all these treatment options to figure out and it's not always clear what combination is going to actually work. Medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, coping mechanisms, there's a lot to navigate when you're already dealing with the anxiety that needs treating in the first place. One thing that's been surprisingly helpful is having a pet around during bad anxiety days, like having something that provides routine and comfort without requiring explanation or judgment makes the symptoms more manageable. Therapist mentioned this could be formalized as part of a treatment plan through emotional support animal designation which I'd never really considered before as a legitimate treatment option. For what I understand ESA recognition provides legal protections for housing which is useful but also just validates that having the animal around is medical accommodation rather than just personal preference. That distinction matters psychologically somehow, makes it feel like less of a crutch and more like a legitimate part of managing the condition. Still figuring out what combination of treatments works best but having multiple approaches instead of relying on just one thing seems to be the general recommendation. Question for others dealing with anxiety, what treatments or coping mechanisms have you found actually help versus things that sound good but don't work in practice?