Which class of medications is most commonly used for anxiety disorders?

Benzodiazepines are the class of medications most commonly used for the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly in situations where immediate relief from acute anxiety symptoms is necessary. They work by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which has a calming effect on the central nervous system. This makes benzodiazepines effective for quickly reducing anxiety symptoms, making them a popular choice for both short-term and situational anxiety relief.

While other classes of medications, such as antidepressants (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs), also play a significant role in treating chronic anxiety conditions through long-term management, benzodiazepines are typically favored for their rapid onset of action. This makes them especially useful in emergency situations or when immediate control of anxiety is required, such as in panic disorders or severe anxiety attacks.

Beta-blockers, while sometimes used to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety (like palpitations and tremors), do not primarily target the psychological aspects of anxiety disorders in the same way that benzodiazepines do.