[Pharmacotherapy]

The high prevalence of anxiety disorders implies the necessity of adequate treatment by GPs. Regarding psychopharmacological treatment benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the drugs of first choice, low potency neuroleptics, beta-blockers as well as the herbal medicine kava-kava may be indicated in special cases (e.g. low degree of anxiety, abuse or tolerability problems). The separation of generalized anxiety disorder from panic disorder seems to be essential due to treatment implications: antidepressants like Imipramine or SSRIs are the drugs of choice in the latter case. Hints regarding handling as well as possible side-effects of the different psychotropics are given, the combination with psychotherapy (relaxation techniques, behaviour therapy) is recommended being the best way of effective treatment.