Anxiety affects nearly everyone in some degree, but it becomes a diagnosis of mental illness when the condition interferes or significantly affects the daily functioning of a person's life. There are several types of anxiety disorder diagnosis, such as generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD; post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD; bipolar mania; and panic disorder. Various types of antipsychotic medications are used to treat the symptoms of anxiety.
Atypical Antipsychotics
Recent clinical studies have shown that atypical antipsychotics, such as olanzapine and quetiapine, possess potential benefits for treating patients with GAD. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study published in the August 2009 issue of the "Journal of Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics," researcher K. Gao and colleagues demonstrated that the antipsychotic drug extended-release quetiapine prevented relapse anxiety in GAD patients versus the placebo test group. However, more studies need to be done to see the long-term effects, benefits and risks for using atypical antipsychotics for treating anxiety disorders.
Risperidone Anxiolytic Effects
Risperidone is an antipsychotic, anxiolytic drug used to treat patients with anxiety in bipolar depression and anxiety in schizophrenia. A study published in the February 1996 "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology," showed that patients in the risperidone group demonstrated greater reduction in anxiety levels compared to the control group or methotrimeprazine patient group when scored against the Psychotic Anxiety Scale. The study concluded that risperidone is an effective treatment drug for managing the anxiety phases of schizophrenic patients.
Typical Antipsychotics
Some typical antipsychotics are used to treat anxiety disorders. Common typical antipsychotics are haloperidol, chlorpromazine and loxapine. Haloperidol is a typical butyrophenone antipsychotic drug sometimes used to manage anxiety in patients. A clinical study published in the journal "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica" in August 2007 demonstrated in a double-blind randomized study of 51 patients diagnosed with neurotic anxiety that a significant reduction in anxiety levels occurred in patients treated with 1mg of haloperidol per day.
References
- "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics"; Atypical Antipsychotics in Primary Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Comorbid With Mood Disorders; K. Gao et al.; August 2009
- "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology"; Antipsychotic and Anxiolytic Properties of Risperidone, Haloperidol and Methotrimeprazine in Schizophrenic Patients; O. Blin; February 1996
- "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica"; A Comparison Between Diazepam and Haloperidol in Anxiety States; B. Fryo et al.; August 2007
- "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry"; Efficacy of Typical and Atypical Antipsychotics; K. Gao et al.; 2006
- Mayo Clinic: Anxiety
