1. Drugs

2. Benzodiaepines BZs
Drugs used to treat anxiety and stress – making the person feel calmer.
BZs reduce any increased serotonin activity which then reduces anxiety.

3. Beta-Blockers
Beta-Blockers reduce activity of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline.
They block receptors, making it harder to stimulate cells
E.g the heart, so it beast slower with less force and blood vessels do not contract so easily. This results in a fall in blood pressure, therefore less stress in the heart – making the person feel calmer and less anxious.

4. Strengths of drugs
Drugs help with stress
Can be accessed by having two groups – one is given the drug while the other is given the placebo.
Weaknesses of drugs
BZs are addictive
BZs can give you ‘paradoxical’ symptoms as a side effect

5. Research
Kahn et al – studied 250 patients over 8 weeks and found that BZs were more effective instead of placebo
More over Beta-Blockers are effective in reducing anxiety in stressful situations.