Anxiety disorders are chronic, disabling conditions with prevalence rates higher than the ones of schizophrenia or diabetes.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are standard treatments for anxiety disorders. The calcium-channel modulator pregabalin is a treatment option for generalized anxiety disorder. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are as effective as modern antidepressants, but less well tolerated. For short-term treatment and in treatment-resistant cases, benzodiazepines like alprazolam may be used when the patient does not have a history of dependency and tolerance. Combining drug treatment with cognitive behaviour therapy is the most successful treatment strategy in anxiety disorders. Strategies of treatment-resistant anxiety disorders and future anxiolytics will be presented in the symposium.