The role of anticonvulsants in treatment-resistant anxiety disorders

Abstract

Antidepressants are the first-line pharmacological treatment approach for the anxiety disorders. Other pharmacotherapy options for anxiety disorders include benzodiazepines, atypical antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. Evidence provided by double-blind, placebo-controlled trials demonstrates the effectiveness of pregabalin and valproic acid for generalized anxiety disorder, pregabalin and gabapentin for social anxiety disorder, valproic acid for panic disorder, and lamotrigine for posttraumatic stress disorder. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of anticonvulsants for the treatment-resistant anxiety disorder patients.