Final answer:
Anti-anxiety agents like benzodiazepines and beta-blockers are used to treat anxiety symptoms and disorders. Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system, while beta-blockers manage physical symptoms. Cognitive therapies along with medications are essential in treating anxiety disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discussion focus is on anti-anxiety agents and their use for treating symptoms such as panic attacks and excessive fear. Benzodiazepines, a class of these agents, function by acting on the central nervous system to provide sedation, hypnosis, and muscle relaxation, contributing to their efficacy in reducing anxiety. They include drugs such as Alprazolam (Xanax) and Diazepam (Valium). Another group, beta-blockers, manages the physical symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat and sweating, especially in phobic situations.