A Critical Approach of the Current Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Michel      Bourin; Florence      Thibaut

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to critically review the current treatment of anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. For all these disorders, this paper will suggest treatment guidelines based on literature data as well as personal experience. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) even considered in DSM IV as an anxiety disorder is somewhere different from the other anxiety disorder (almost lack of placebo response, efficacy of cognitive- behavioural therapy and deep brain stimulation).

Keywords: Benzodiazepines, serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antidepressants, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).