Anxiety disorders: A review of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

J. Zohar, H. G.M. Westenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders. While the older tricylic antidepressants (TCAs) are efficacious in the treatment of many anxiety disorders, recent studies with fluoxetine and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have emphasized the role of serotonin in the aetiology of these conditions. Method: We reviewed the efficacy, safety and tolerability of TCAs and SSRIs in the treatment of the most common anxiety disorders, specifically, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder. Results: Both the TCA and SSRI antidepressants are effective in treating a wide variety of anxiety disorders. SSRIs, due to their greater safety and tolerability, should be the preferred choices in treating anxiety disorders in those instances where TCAs and SSRIs are considered equally effective. In the cases of OCD and social phobia, SSRIs are almost always preferable given that the TCAs do not appear effective in these disorders. Conclusion: Further research is needed on the naturalistic long-term use of the TCAs and SSRIs in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-49
Number of pages11
JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Supplement
Volume101
Issue number403
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Anxiety disorder
  • SSRI
  • TCA

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