Final answer:
Xanax, Valium, and Ativan belong to the benzodiazepine group, which are anxiolytics and central nervous system depressants used to manage symptoms of anxiety and induce calmness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Xanax, Valium, and Ativan are all in the benzodiazepine drug group. Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs that are primarily used as anxiolytics, which means they are prescribed to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. This group of medications is known to cause sedation, reduce anxiety, relax muscles, and have anticonvulsant properties. Drugs like Lorazepam (Ativan) which have a short half-life, and beta-blockers are commonly used to manage short-term symptoms of anxiety, such as those experienced during panic attacks or phobic situations. They can be used "as needed" to manage acute anxiety episodes. It is important to note that benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants, meaning they slow down brain activity, leading to a calming effect on the body.