- Class of substances used to treat anxiety
- "Anxiety Dissolving"
- At high doses have anti-convulsant & sleep-inducing properties
- Anxiolytic benzodiazepines bind to GABA receptors throughout the brain but especially in the cerebral cortex and some areas of the hippocampus and amygdala

Michigan State University

- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
- B- blockers
- Buspirone
- MAOIs
- Anxiolytics

Drug Treatments for Anxiety Disorders

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Group of anti-anxiety drugs that increase GABA's inhibitory effect in the central nervous system, thus having a sedative effect. As such, it has been effective for controlling anxiety and helping with insomnia. 
Examples of benzodiazepines:
- Diazpam (valium)
- Xanax
- Halcion
- Ativan

Benzodiazepines to treat Anxiety

Anxiolytics to treat Anxiety

Generally prescribed for anxiety and OCD-like symptoms. It is the first line of treatment for anxiety. It works by stopping the reabsorption of Serotonin, thus stimulated mood regulation.

1. citalopram (Celexa)
2. escitalopram (Lexapro)
3. fluoxetine (Prozac)
4. fluvoxamine (Luvox)
5. paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
6. sertraline (Zoloft)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Treats depression and anxiety, and can be prescribed for even chronic pain. It reduces the brain’s reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine.

1. duloxetine (Cymbalta)
2. venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

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