Clinical review of beta-blockers in anxiety.

Anxiety has three essential elements: the subjective experience, autonomic symptoms and avoidance behaviour. Various theories are considered which highlight the psychic and somatic aspects of anxiety. Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs have been used with advantage to treat everyday stresses. These include the anxiety produced by the civil disturbances in Northern Ireland, performing surgery, dentistry, musical instruments or speaking in public, as well as examination nerves. The profile of symptoms such as tachycardia, palpitations and tremor which are most likely to respond to beta-blockers are discussed as well as their side-effects. Their mode of action is different from other anxiolytics, with which they can be combined.