Newer Treatments for Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have been primary treatments for depression and anxiety for over two decades.
• Despite the introduction of newer medications with novel mechanisms, first-line pharmacologic strategies have largely remained unchanged.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current pharmacologic treatments for mood and anxiety disorders.
• To evaluate the utility of augmentation agents in major depressive disorder.
• To assess the evidence for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in mood and anxiety disorders.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pharmacologic treatments for depression and anxiety.
• Analysis of data supporting augmentation strategies for major depressive disorder.
• Evaluation of clinical trial data for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Main Results:

• Established first-line treatments (SRIs and SNRIs) continue to be the standard of care.
• Robust data now support the use of various augmentation agents for major depressive disorder, aiding primary care provider recommendations.
• Current data on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for mood and anxiety disorders are insufficient to support general recommendation.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacologic treatment for depression and anxiety remains dominated by SRIs and SNRIs.
• Augmentation therapies offer improved options for managing major depressive disorder.
• Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy requires further research before widespread clinical adoption for mood and anxiety disorders.