Anxiety has been an integral component of human experience, which has been explained through a variety of medical, philosophical, and cultural models throughout history. This study is a narrative review aiming to trace the historical evolution of the treatment and pharmacology of anxiety from Classical Antiquity to the present day. In ancient Greek times, it was considered a psychosomatic illness, which was treated medically and philosophically. Through the Medieval and Early Modern periods, theological models were also considered, as were humoral models. The development of modern psychiatry and psychopharmacology has also shown a shift towards a more integrated model of treating anxiety. This historical trajectory highlights the continuity between early holistic approaches and contemporary biopsychosocial models of anxiety. Understanding this evolution provides valuable insight into the complexity of anxiety as both a clinical condition and a deeply human experience. This review demonstrates that modern approaches to anxiety are not a rupture from the past but the result of a long-standing convergence of medical, philosophical, and cultural paradigms.
Sideris et al. (Tue,) studied this question.