Pharmacotherapy of generalized anxiety disorder.
Benzodiazepines have traditionally been used to treat acute anxiety disorders, but they are not ideal in the treatment of chronic generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Following long-term therapy, benzodiazepines have the potential to produce dependency and withdrawal symptoms. In addition, although agents such as the benzodiazepines and buspirone alleviate anxiety, they have little effect on depression, which is a common comorbidity of GAD. Antidepressants have long been viewed as promising alternatives to benzodiazepines for the treatment of some types of anxiety. Although they have been shown to be useful in the treatment of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder/social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, they have not until recently been regarded as potential therapies for GAD. Treatment with antidepressants has opened up a new area of investigation into the pharmacotherapy of GAD, with a growing body of evidence supporting the role of therapies such as paroxetine and venlafaxine extended release.
Davidson
J R
JR
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. tolme@acpub.duke.edu
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002065:Buspirone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D002065:Buspirone