Current treatment requirements for generalized anxiety disorder call for complete remission of symptoms and social functioning as a treatment goal, and accomplishing this goal requires a sound treatment strategy. The selection of appropriate medications is key to the treatment process of relieving generalized anxiety disorder.
There are three main issues to consider when selecting appropriate treatment medications: first, the selection of medications that have been shown to be effective for generalized anxiety disorder; second, the tolerability and safety of the medication; and third, the issue of comorbidity. According to current clinical studies, there are three types of medications that are effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Yongliang Lu, Department of Psychiatry, Suzhou Guangji Hospital
The first category, antidepressants (including tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs and SNRIs).
Tricyclic antidepressants such as promethazine are effective for generalized anxiety disorder, but long-term treatment decreases compliance due to their side effects. They are now mostly replaced by new generation antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs). These new generation antidepressants have a broader spectrum of action and milder side effects, and have good efficacy in generalized anxiety disorder. Many experts recommend that early treatment with SSRIs or other antidepressants may be combined with BZDs to provide rapid relief of some of the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder until the antidepressants take effect (usually 2-3 weeks) and to avoid worsening of anxiety symptoms that arise early in antidepressant treatment.
The second category, buspirone.
Buspirone is a partial 5-HT1a antagonist that has been shown to be more effective for psychotic symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and aggression. Buspirone is indicated for patients who have had poor results with benzodiazepines or who pose some risk. Abrupt discontinuation of the drug does not cause withdrawal syndrome. The most common side effect is dizziness, especially within 30 minutes of taking the drug, and this should be especially considered in elderly patients.
The third category, benzodiazepines (BZD).
Benzodiazepines are widely used for the short-term treatment of anxiety disorders. Their clinical advantages include their rapid onset of action, their use for short-term treatment, their wide range of safety, and their ease of use.