Etiology and Treatment of Anxiety

Abstract

There is still much debate about the etiology and remedies of anxiety disorders. Summarizing the current research results will facilitate a deeper understanding of anxiety disorders and uncover suitable treatments. Environmental changes, childhood trauma or physical abuse, and a Mediterranean diet or the microbiome were strongly associated with disease development. Also, the PDE4B gene, other essential loci, and 274 genes' interaction with the environment could potentially cause anxiety. Molecules such as the brain receptor GPR158, MicroRNA-137, and the interleukin-17a (IL-17a) showed increased anxiety behaviors. Psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioral treatment, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and internet-delivered behavioral therapy, effectively reduces anxiety. Diazepam and clonazepam, secondary benzodiazepine treatments, showed shortcomings, for example, the former lack of cognitive recovery. Furthermore, SSRIs, including sertraline, fluoxetine, and paroxetine, and SNRIs like venlafaxine or duloxetine, had good efficacy and high tolerability. Animal-assisted intervention, cannabidiol, molecule therapeutics, and many novel approaches in different systems were also proved to be beneficial in decreasing anxiety symptoms. More evidence from studies and reviews is needed to support these findings.