What class of medications is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders?

Anxiolytics are specifically designed to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and are primarily used to treat anxiety disorders. This class of medications includes benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and lorazepam, which work by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This enhancement leads to a calming effect, reducing feelings of anxiety and tension.

While antidepressants can also be effective in treating anxiety disorders, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), they are generally not the first line of treatment specifically for anxiety. Antipsychotics are used primarily for conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and stimulants are primarily used to manage attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), not anxiety. Therefore, the most direct and appropriate class of medications for treating anxiety disorders is anxiolytics.