Medications for Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Certain clusters of anxiety symptoms can suggest various anxiety disorders (Table 21-2 Common Symptoms of Anxiety). However, anxiety symptoms are also common in most other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorders. In these cases, the primary conditions need to be treated as well. The same is true for anxiety symptoms that are secondary to other medical disorders such as mitral valve prolapse, hyperthyroidism, arrhythmia, inner ear infection, asthma, or to use of substances such as cocaine, caffeine, methamphetamines.
The most common antianxiety medications are in the categories of anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics. These can be classified into two groups of BZs and non-BZs (Box 21-1 Most Common Antianxiety Medications). Other categories of medications for anxiety include antidepressants and beta blockers.