In this regard, it should be noted that drugs of this type must not be used indiscriminately for the treatment of anxiety. In fact, it is very important to distinguish between normal or physiological anxiety and pathological anxiety.
Anxiety: Normal or Pathological?
Contrary to what one might think, anxiety is not always pathological; in fact, there are situations in which anxiety is a useful phenomenon for the individual. There are, therefore, two well-defined conditions:
- Normal anxiety condition;
- Condition of pathological anxiety.
In the condition of normal anxiety we find ourselves in a state of tension - both physical and psychological - characterized by the activation of the autonomous reflexes and the waking state, which can be useful to the individual in certain situations. For example, the anxiety a student may experience before an exam is considered normal anxiety.
Anxiety becomes pathological when it is completely inappropriate in relation to the situation in which one finds oneself or when it is excessive in relation to what the situation would normally require.
Pathological anxiety, therefore, is capable of compromising the normal social and occupational activities of the individual. Therefore, the correct diagnosis and the appropriate and timely treatment (pharmacological and / or psychotherapeutic) are very important.
Furthermore, anxiety is often associated with depressive pathologies, but it is not clear whether one of the two diseases arises first or if one is an integral part of the other.
Anxiety disorders include:
- Separation anxiety disorder;
- Selective mutism;
- Specific phobia;
- Social anxiety disorder;
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia;
- Generalized anxiety disorder;
- Substance / Drug Induced Anxiety Disorder;
- Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition;
- Anxiety Disorder with Other Specification;
- Anxiety Disorder Without Other Specification;
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Related;
- Disorders related to traumatic and stressful events.
Causes and Factors involved in the purchase of Anxiety Disorders
Many studies have been conducted to understand what factors were involved in the onset of pathological anxiety. From these studies it emerged that numerous neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and neuropeptides are involved in the etiology of this disease.
Particular attention was paid to three neurotransmitters: γ-aminobutyric acid (or GABA), noradrenaline (or NA) and serotonin (or 5-HT). Alterations and variations in GABAergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission, in fact, have been related to the onset of anxiety disorders. It is no coincidence, therefore, that many of the drugs currently available go to act precisely in this area.
Therefore, the main classes of drugs used in anxiolytic therapy and some examples of active ingredients will be briefly described below.
