A Guide To What Works For Anxiety Disorders - Mental Health First Aid

Social PhobiaTwo small studies have compared an antipsychotic drug with aplacebo over eight weeks of treatment. One study involved 12 peopleand showed that the antipsychotic drug was more effective than theplacebo. The second study involved 15 people and results were mixed.Although some people benefited from the antipsychotic, the study wastoo small to tell whether it was more helpful overall than the placebo.Panic Disorder and AgoraphobiaThere have only been small, low-quality studies of antipsychoticsfor Panic Disorder. One study involved 10 adults with severe panicthat had not responded to other treatments. They were given anantipsychotic drug for eight weeks. The number of panic attacks in thegroup reduced. However, six out of 10 participants experienced theside-effect of weight gain.Other anxiety disordersThere is no evidence on whether antipsychotic drugs alone work forSpecific Phobias or OCD.ARE THERE ANY RISKS?Common side-effects of antipsychotics include dry mouth, weight gain,feeling sedated or drowsy, and movement problems in the limbs andface. Different antipsychotics may produce different side-effects. Someof these may need to be checked often.RECOMMENDATIONThere is limited evidence for using antipsychotics alone to treat anxietydisorders. There is some evidence that these drugs may help severeGAD, however more research is needed to be sure.Azapirone drugsGADOur ratingPanic Disorder and AgoraphobiaOur ratingPTSD and ASD? Specific Phobias ?Social Phobia? OCD ?WHAT ARE THEY?Azapirones (AZPs) are drugs that are used to treat a range ofmental health problems, including anxiety disorders, depression andpsychosis. They can be used on their own, or along with anotherdrug (such as an antidepressant). The most commonly used AZP isbuspirone. These drugs can be prescribed only by a doctor.HOW ARE THEY MEANT TO WORK?Azapirones work on brain nerve cells. These drugs act in a similarway to benzodiazepines (see Anti-anxiety drugs, page 12) byworking relatively fast to reduce anxiety symptoms. However, unlikebenzodiazepines, these drugs can be used for longer periods of timeas they are not addictive.DO THEY WORK?GADFour good-quality studies have compared AZPs to placebo (dummy)pills for reducing GAD symptoms. Three of these studies showed thatAZPs were better than placebo pills and one found no differences inanxiety symptoms between the groups.Social PhobiaOne study gave 30 people with Social Phobia either an AZP (buspirone)or placebo pills for three months. The results showed no differencebetween groups in anxiety symptoms at the end of the study.Panic Disorder and AgoraphobiaThree high-quality trials have compared an AZP (buspirone) to aplacebo. In each study, the AZP was found to be no better thanplacebo pills in reducing panic attacks and anxiety symptoms.Other anxiety disordersThere is no evidence on whether azapirone drugs alone work forSpecific Phobias, PTSD or OCD.17