Berger F M
Behav Sci. 1980 Jul;25(4):315-21. doi: 10.1002/bs.3830250408.
This paper, on the use of antianxiety drugs to relieve certain neurotic symptoms, involves decision making at the level of the individual organism. The words "anxiety," "fear," and "stress" are often used interchangeably in everyday English. In medical usage "anxiety" denotes a state caused by an internal danger, while "fear" is a response to an external danger. "Stress" is the sum total of the bodily responses which occur when the organism has to adapt to a change. The antianxiety tranquilizers relieve anxiety and certain other neurotic symptoms, but do not counteract stress, fear, or anxiety caused by schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. The antianxiety drugs are now being most frequently prescribed for the relief and prevention of emotional distress that might accompany a physical disorder. Somatic illness can cause stress and fear, but does not usually induce neurotic anxiety. In patients suffering from physical disorders, treatment with antianxiety drugs appears justified only in the presence of an underlying psychoneurotic condition.
本文关于使用抗焦虑药物缓解某些神经症症状，涉及个体生物体层面的决策。在日常英语中，“焦虑”“恐惧”和“压力”这几个词常被互换使用。在医学用语中，“焦虑”指由内部危险引起的一种状态，而“恐惧”是对外部危险的一种反应。“压力”是生物体必须适应变化时所发生的身体反应的总和。抗焦虑镇静剂可缓解焦虑及某些其他神经症症状，但不能对抗由精神分裂症和其他精神障碍引起的压力、恐惧或焦虑。目前，抗焦虑药物最常用于缓解和预防可能伴随身体疾病出现的情绪困扰。躯体疾病可引起压力和恐惧，但通常不会诱发神经症性焦虑。对于患有身体疾病的患者，仅在存在潜在精神神经症状况时，使用抗焦虑药物治疗似乎才是合理的。
