Pharmaceutical Management of General Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental disorder defined as excessive worrying over little things. It is a one of the most common types of anxiety disorders. A study stated that 1-5% of the general population suffers from GAD.  The condition affects the quality of life of a patient negatively and activities in their everyday life. In this review article, we highlighted several studies that compared combined therapy of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to either therapy alone, results were conflicting and differ from one study to another.  Provide a thorough and comprehensive review of the different approaches of GAD management, several database websites were searched for articles discussing the pharmacological management of general anxiety disorder. Clinical trials, clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and review articles were all reviewed and considered for inclusion. The review emphasizes the importance of taking the decision of therapy after counseling the patient, taking into account, the cost effectiveness of the treatment, patient’s symptomatology, comorbidity, medical conditions, concomitant using medications, previous trials and preference. Accordingly, thorough assessment should be done before moving to management plan, and a trial of other group or other therapies should be taken if there is no response seen. However, generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common types of anxiety disorders. It has a lifetime prevalence around 5%, it can include intolerable cognitive, emotional and physical symptoms. Thus, GAD can adversely affect the patient’s life aspects, including personal, functional, social or educational. There are options to be taken among psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy or combined therapy.