Clinical Use of Psychotherapeutic Drugs

Abstract

We know little of the pathogenesis of anxiety, depression and psychosis or how psychotherapeutic drugs relieve them, but drugs may figure in the total psychiatric treatment. Antianxiety drugs may be most effective when used in unconventional ways. Some drugs considered as primarily antianxiety or antipsychotic agents may be useful in specific depressive syndromes. Antipsychotic drugs provide novel treatment of undoubted efficacy. However, older drugs and methods, such as phenobarbital and electroshock therapy, should not be neglected.