Xenon and/or argon treatment as an adjunct to psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the fields of treating psychiatric disorders, in particular, anxiety disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in subjects, e.g., human subjects, by administering a xenon and/or argon containing composition. Treatments can also employ psychotherapy in combination with administration of xenon and/or argon, alone or in combination with additional psychotherapeutic medications to treat the anxiety disorder and reduce a symptom of the anxiety disorder in the subject.

1 . A method for treating a subject having a high-anxiety response, the method comprising: administering a xenon composition consisting essentially of 0.5-35% xenon when the subject is experiencing a high-anxiety response, thereby treating the high-anxiety response in the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the xenon composition is self-administered by the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the high-anxiety response is elicited spontaneously in the subject or is a cued re-experiencing episode. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the high-anxiety response is triggered by a reactivated traumatic memory, a traumatic event, a phobia stimulus, a specific fear, paranoia, sudden attack of intense fear or anxiety, agitation, social situations, obsessive thoughts, compulsions, an eating disorder, dissociation, substance abuse, drug and/or alcohol dependency, flashback, nightmares, or hallucinations. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the xenon composition is administered by inhalation or intranasally. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administration of the xenon composition is repeated. 
     
     
         7 . A method for blocking the reconsolidation of reactivated traumatic memories elicited spontaneously in a subject, the method comprising: administering a xenon composition consisting essentially of 0.5-35% xenon to a subject experiencing a reactivated traumatic memory, thereby blocking reconsolidation of the traumatic memory. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the xenon composition is self-administered by the subject. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the xenon composition is administered by inhalation or intranasally. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein administration of the xenon composition is repeated. 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating a subject comprising: administering to a subject having an addictive disorder or a fear and/or anxiety disorder a xenon composition consisting essentially of 0.5-35% xenon, thereby treating the addictive disorder or the fear and/or anxiety disorder.