[Anxiety and depression caused by side effects of drugs].

The word "drug" in accordance with the definition given by the WHO means "any substance that, when taken into the living organisms, may modify one or more of its functions". This thus covers a wider field than the word "medicine" or "medicament". There are many substances which are capable of provoking anxiety and are very frequently consumed. According to recent publications the use and abuse of alcohol, cigarettes, heroin, cocaine, marihuana, and drugs such as sedatives (neuroleptics), caffeine, minor tranquilisers and other may provoke acute and chronic anxiety and depression. When confronted with anxiety states or depressive states, it is absolutely essential not to overlook the possibility that they may have been induced by a medicament or a drug which the patient has been using.