Week 7: Lesson 7. Introduction of anxiety and minor tranquilizers

Anxiety is an unpleasant state of tension, apprehension, or uneasiness (a fear that seems to arise from a unknown source). Disorders involving anxiety are the most common mental disturbances. The physical symp- toms of severe anxiety are similar to those of fear (such as tachycardia, sweating, trembling, and palpitations) and involve sympathetic activa- tion. Episodes of mild anxiety are common life experiences and do not warrant treatment. However, the symptoms of severe, chronic, debilitat- ing anxiety may be treated with anti-anxiety drugs (sometimes called anxiolytic or minor tranquilizers) and/or some form of behavioral thera- py or psychotherapy. Because many of the anti-anxiety drugs also cause some sedation, the same drugs often function clinically as both anxiolytic and hypnotic (sleep-inducing) agents. In addition, some have anticonvul- sant activity. Figure 9.1 summarizes the anxiolytic and hypnotic agents. Though also indicated for certain anxiety disorders, the selective sero- tonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) will be presented in the chapter discuss- ing antidepressants.

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