Antidepressant drugs, such as the tricyclic antidepressants
and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs), are very important for the treatment of psychotic
depression. They have been
shown to be effective when used in the treatment of
several anxiety disorders, including general anxiety, obsessive-
compulsive disorder, and several phobias, including
agoraphobia. Because the SSRIs are less toxic
than the tricyclic antidepressants, their use in the treatment
of anxiety is safer and less likely to produce serious
side effects.
