Every year, 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Specific or "simple" phobias (i.e. claustrophobia), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are all classified as anxiety disorders in the diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association. A combination of medication(s) and psychotherapy is usually recommended for the best treatment outcome.
Beta-Blocker Medications
Beta-blocker medications focus on the body's physical responses to anxiety such as heart palpitations. Propranolol and atenolol are both medications in this class and each has been used successfully in the treatment of social phobia symptoms.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Anti-anxiety, or anxiolytic, medications are the most commonly prescribed type of medication for anxiety symptoms. Generally these medications are benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, clonazepam and lorazepam. These types are fast-acting and have been used successfully to ameliorate the symptoms of panic disorder, social and simple phobias and GAD. Buspirone is a similar anxiolytic that acts as a mild tranquilizer for symptoms of OCD and GAD. The anticonvulsant valproate is also used for panic symptoms.
Antidepressant Medications
There are three types of antidepressant medications commonly prescribed for anxiety symptoms. Antidepressant medications generally take longer to provide relief from anxiety symptoms, so they are often prescribed in concert with one or more of the faster-acting medications described above. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the form of this class of medications. Examples of this class are phenelzine, which is used to manage the symptoms of panic disorder and social phobia, and tranylcypromine, which has been used to manage symptoms of panic disorder. Imipramine, amitriptyline, venlafaxine and clomipramine are examples of tricyclic medications. These kinds of antidepressants target the symptoms of panic, GAD and OCD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are one more class of antidepressants widely prescribed for OCD, social phobia and panic disorder symptoms. Fluvoxamine, escitalopram, paroxetine and sertraline are examples of SSRIs.
References
- U.S. National Institure of Mental Health - Anxiety Disorders Information
- American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Ed.). American Psychiatric Association: Washington D. C.
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
