Final answer:
Medication classes used for panic attacks, GAD, and phobias include anti-anxiety agents such as benzodiazepines and SSRIs. Beta-blockers can also be used to handle physical symptoms of anxiety in acute situations. Antidepressants are one correct answer, reflecting the frequent clinical use of SSRIs for these conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medication classes that should be given for panic, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and phobias are anti-anxiety agents and sometimes antidepressants. These conditions are often treated with benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). For example, benzodiazepines like Alprazolam (Xanax) and Lorazepam (Ativan) are prescribed to quell panic attacks and help manage symptoms of anxiety disorders. Furthermore, SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine (Prozac) are used to treat anxiety and phobias due to their effect on increasing serotonin levels in the central nervous system.
Beta-blockers can also be used to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as trembling and rapid heartbeat, especially in acute situations or for those with specific phobias. This is a short-term treatment that is used "as needed". The correct answer is C) Antidepressants, though in practice, both anti-anxiety agents and antidepressants are used depending on the specific circumstances of the patient.