Name the class of medication typically used to treat anxiety disorders.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders due to their ability to enhance the levels of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood and anxiety. SSRIs work by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin at the synaptic cleft, which increases its availability to bind to the receptor sites. This mechanism helps alleviate anxiety symptoms and has been demonstrated to be effective for various anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

While other classes of medications, such as benzodiazepines, are also used for anxiety management—offering quick relief for acute anxiety symptoms—SSRIs are favored for long-term treatment because they generally have a more favorable side-effect profile and lower potential for dependence compared to benzodiazepines. Tricyclic antidepressants can be effective for anxiety as well, but they are less commonly prescribed as first-line treatment today due to their side effects. Beta-blockers may help with the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly in performance situations, but they do not address the underlying psychological components of anxiety disorders. Therefore, SSRIs stand out as the primary medication choice for treating anxiety disorders in a clinical setting.