This subject invention relates to dimeric 4-phenylpiperidine, 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, or 4-phenylpiperazine compounds or dimeric spirocyclic piperidine compounds having general formula (I), ##STR1## wherein n is 1-5; R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are substituents; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each hydrogen or alkyl or form together an ethylene or propylene bridge; X is O, S, SO, SO.sub.2, CO or (CH.sub.2).sub.m, being 0 or 1, X is NR.sup.7, R.sup.7 being H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, phenyl, or phenylalkyl, or X is CR.sup.8 R.sup.9, wherein R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are selected from hydroxy and the substituents defined under R.sup.7 ; and (i) Z.sup.1 is a substituent and Z.sup.2 is (CH.sub.2).sub.p wherein p is 0; and Y is N, C or CH; (ii) Z.sup.1 and Y are linked together via a single bond, thereby forming a spirocyclic junction; in which case Y is C; Z.sup.1 is O, S, (CH.sub.2).sub.q, q being 1, 2 or 3, or Z.sup.1 is CH.sub.2 O, CH.sub.2 S, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 S, CH.dbd.CH, CH.dbd.CHCH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 SCH.sub.2, CH.dbd.CH--O, or CH.dbd.CH--S; and Z.sup.2 is O, S or (CH.sub.2).sub.p, p being 0 or 1; are potent sigma receptor ligands thus being useful as drags for the treatment of anxiety, psychosis, epilepsy, convulsion, movement disorders, motor disturbances, amnesia, cerebrovascular diseases, senile demential of the Alzheimer type or Parkinson's disease.