á-adrenergic blockers may relieve some somatic symptoms of anxiety - tachycardia and tremor - more effectively than benzodiazepines, but are less effective for psychic symptoms. Benzodiazepines are generally more effective for anxious patients who have both kinds of symptoms and á-adrenergic blockers are best kept for the more unusual patient with anxiety presenting almost exclusively with somatic symptoms.
Contra-indications for á-adrenergic blockers include heart block; history of bronchospasm; insulin-dependent diabetes; after prolonged fasting(eg anorexia nervosa) and with great caution if signs of poor cardiac reserve.
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