Anxiolytics Health Dictionary

A large family of drugs used as HYPNOTICS, ANXIOLYTICS, TRANQUILLISERS, ANTICONVULSANTS, premedicants, and for intravenous sedation. Short-acting varieties are used as hypnotics; longer-acting ones as hypnotics and tranquillisers. Those with high lipid solubility act rapidly if given intravenously.

Benzodiazepines act at a speci?c centralnervous-system receptor or by potentiating the action of inhibitory neuro-transmitters. They have advantages over other sedatives by having some selectivity for anxiety rather than general sedation. They are safer in overdose. Unfortunately they may cause aggression, amnesia, excessive sedation, or confusion in the elderly. Those with long half-lives or with metabolites having long half-lives may produce a hangover e?ect, and DEPENDENCE on these is now well recognised, so they should not be prescribed for more than a few weeks. Commonly used benzodiazepines include nitrazepam, ?unitrazepam (a controlled drug), loprazolam, temazepam (a controlled drug) and chlormethiazole, normally con?ned to the elderly. All benzodiazepines should be used sparingly because of the risk of dependence.... benzodiazepines

A mental state of physical and emotional exhaustion; an anxiety disorder that is a stress reaction to a person’s reduced capability to cope with the demands of his or her occupations. Symptoms of burnout include tiredness, poor sleeping pattern, irritability and reduced performance at work; increased susceptibility to physical illness and abuse of alcohol and addictive drugs can also occur. Treatment can be dif?cult and may require a change to a less stressful lifestyle, counselling and, in severe cases, psychotherapy and carefully supervised use of ANXIOLYTICS or ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS.... burnout

A benzodiazpine anxiolytic drug (see BENZODIAZEPINES; ANXIOLYTICS). Like all benzodiazepines, oxazepam should be prescribed with caution at the lowest possible dosage for the shortest possible time, as patients can become dependent on it (see DEPENDENCE). The indication for use is short-term relief of severe anxiety, including panic attacks. Oxazepam has an advantage over many diazepams in being shorter acting, and it can be used for patients with impairment of LIVER function. The drug is inappropriate for treatment of DEPRESSION, obsessional states or PSYCHOSIS (see MENTAL ILLNESS).... oxazepam

Panic attacks, or panic disorders, are recurrent short episodes of acute distress. Some sufferers may be mentally confused and fear impending death. Initially these attacks tend to occur unexpectedly but, if recurrent, they often become associated with certain places such as a con?ned space (lift) or among crowds. Symptoms include a feeling of breathing diffculties, including overbreathing, PALPITATION, dizziness, sweating, faintness and pains in the chest. Attacks are usually short (a few minutes) but not often associated with physical illness, although victims may have an anxiety disorder or PHOBIA. If troublesome or disabling, attacks can be treated symptomatically with short-term ANXIOLYTICS or on a long-term basis with BEHAVIOUR THERAPY.... panic attacks

Drugs and other measures which have a calming e?ect, reducing tension and anxiety. They include ANXIOLYTICS and HYPNOTICS (usually given in smaller doses than is needed to induce sleep).... sedatives

Any factor or event that threatens a person’s health or adversely affects his or her normal functioning. Injury, disease or worry are common examples; others include internal con?icts, emotive life events – such as the death of a close relative or friend, the birth of a baby, separation or divorce – pressures at work or a hostile environment such as war or famine. Some individuals seem to be more prone than others to develop medical problems related to stress.

Stress prompts the body to raise its output of HORMONES such as ADRENALINE and CORTISOL, causing changes in blood pressure, heart rate and metabolism. These are physiological responses intended to improve a person’s physical and mental performance – the ‘?ght or ?ight’ reaction to fear. Stress may, however, disrupt the ability to cope. Constant or recurrent exposure to stress may produce symptoms such as anxiety, depression, headaches, indigestion, diarrhoea, palpitations and general malaise (see POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)). Treatment can be di?cult and prolonged; counselling can help as can ANXIOLYTICS or ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS – but a change in job or lifestyle may be necessary in some circumstances.... stress

A benzodiazepine anxiolytic (see BENZODIAZEPINES; ANXIOLYTICS) derived from diazepam. To be used with care for short-term treatment of insomnia, generally associated with di?culty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakening or early-morning awakening. Temazepam is a relatively quick-acting hypnotic of short duration, so – although there is little hangover the next morning compared with other hypnotics – there may still be some drowsiness and e?ect on skilled tasks such as driving. It should be avoided in elderly people who are at risk of becoming ataxic and so liable to falling and injuring themselves. Temazepam is often abused by drug addicts.... temazepam

The proprietary name for diazepam, a widely used anxiolytic drug (see ANXIOLYTICS).... valium

an extreme fear of humiliating or embarrassing oneself in social situations (e.g. dating, parties, eating with other people, asking questions, etc.). Symptoms include shaking, blushing, gastrointestinal disturbances, sweating, and other signs of anxiety; people with social anxiety disorder may avoid social situations. Treatment includes cognitive behavioural therapy, occupational therapy, and medication (e.g. antidepressants, anxiolytics, or beta blockers).... social anxiety disorder

A tranquilliser is a popular name for a drug which induces a mental state free from agitation and anxiety, and renders the patient calm. Tranquillisers are classi?ed as major and minor. The former are used to treat psychotic illness such as SCHIZOPHRENIA; the latter are sedatives used to treat anxiety and emotional upsets (see NEUROSIS) and are called antianxiety drugs or ANXIOLYTICS. Major tranquillisers or antipsychotic drugs are given to patients with psychotic disorders which disrupt their normal lives (see PSYCHOSIS). They do not cure the patient, but do help to control his or her symptoms so that the person can live in the community and be admitted to hospital only for acute episodes. The drug chosen depends upon the type of illness and needs of a particular patient as well as the likely adverse effects. Antipsychotic drugs modify the transmission of nerve-signals by making brain cells less sensitive to the excitatory neurotransmitter chemical called DOPAMINE. Among the antipsychotic tranquillisers are CHLORPROMAZINE, HALOPERIDOL, CLOZAPINE and ?upenthixol.

Anxiety is a consequence of too much STRESS and may occur without being serious enough to need treatment. Clinically it arises when the balance between certain chemicals in the brain is disturbed: this increases activity in the sympathetic system, thus provoking physical symptoms such as breathlessness, tachycardia, headaches and indigestion. Anxiolytics help to alleviate these symptoms but do not necessarily cure the underlying cause. Two main classes of drug relieve anxiety: BENZODIAZEPINES and beta blockers (see BETA-ADRENOCEPTORBLOCKING DRUGS). The latter, which include atenolol and propanolol, reduce the physical symptoms such as tachycardia and are useful in circumstances – for example, examinations – known to cause anxiety attacks. They block the action of NORADRENALINE, a key chemical of the sympathetic nervous system. Benzodiazepines depress activity in that part of the brain controlling emotion by stimulating the action of a chemical called gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA). Among the benzodiazepines are chlordiazepoxide and diazepam. (See also MENTAL ILLNESS.)... tranquillisers

A number of different mental and emotional conditions may arise. Some are hereditary, others acquired through anxiety and a sense of insecurity. A sound constitution and strong nervous system are a bulwark against disintegration of the personality. For this purpose nerve restoratives and anxiolytics are indicated.

Alternatives. Teas: German Chamomile, Oats, Skullcap, Valerian, Gotu Kola. Tablets. Devil’s Claw, Ginseng, Pulsatilla, Mistletoe, Motherwort, Valerian. Gotu Kola: used extensively in traditional Indian medicine for mental ailments. Diet. Protein, Salt-free. Lacto-vegetarian.

Vitamins. B-complex, B1; B6; B12; Niacin, Folic Acid. C, E, F. Minerals. Dolomite. Zinc. ... emotional illness