ABSTRACT
Generically and in context, the term ‘‘polypharmacy’’ refers to the use of multiple medications for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Some definitions include a specifier, such as ‘‘greater than or equal to two medications’’ (1). Despite the technical neutrality of its meaning, ‘‘polypharmacy’’ carries an implicit pejorative undertone as well, so much so that the meaning of the word has been historically imbued with this accusation of misconduct. In this chapter, I will undertake an examination of the term as it applies to anxiety disorders in large part, extending on general principles to illustrate the more direct impact on the treatment of anxiety disorders.
