> Are there other promising anxiolytics on the horizon? Even more basic, what are the best options available now?
Well, anxiolytics in general can be grouped in two groups - for acute treatment and for long-term treatment.
For acute treatment, benzodiazepines remain good choice. Therapy with benzodiazepines should not last for more than 6 weeks. Another option is use of 1st generation antihistamines, but tolerance usually develops.
For long term treatment, there are quite many options. Most of antidepressants exhibit anxiolytic effects and they are relatively safe for long-term use. Sympatholytics are also useful - seemingly, slowing heart rate reduces anxiety in mammals. Pregabalin is widely used for anxiety, because it's relatively safe for long-term use.
The gold standard is therapy (first line for anxiety should be CBT). Medication is often warranted but should be used in conjunction with therapy.
Overall, most of mental disorders are complex mixture of psychological and biological factors and best possible treatment usually combines therapy and medication. There is hypothetical logical link - most of antidepressants increase neuroplasticity and neuroplasticity is thought to be necessary for therapy to work.
Well, anxiolytics in general can be grouped in two groups - for acute treatment and for long-term treatment.
For acute treatment, benzodiazepines remain good choice. Therapy with benzodiazepines should not last for more than 6 weeks. Another option is use of 1st generation antihistamines, but tolerance usually develops.
For long term treatment, there are quite many options. Most of antidepressants exhibit anxiolytic effects and they are relatively safe for long-term use. Sympatholytics are also useful - seemingly, slowing heart rate reduces anxiety in mammals. Pregabalin is widely used for anxiety, because it's relatively safe for long-term use.
The gold standard is therapy (first line for anxiety should be CBT). Medication is often warranted but should be used in conjunction with therapy.
Overall, most of mental disorders are complex mixture of psychological and biological factors and best possible treatment usually combines therapy and medication. There is hypothetical logical link - most of antidepressants increase neuroplasticity and neuroplasticity is thought to be necessary for therapy to work.