The present invention relates to new piperidyl- or piperazinyl-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives having the formula I ##STR1## wherein X is N or CH; Y is NR.sub.2 CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 --NR.sub.2, NR.sub.2 --CO, CO--NR.sub.2 or NR.sub.2 SO.sub.2 wherein R.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; R.sub.1 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl; R.sub.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl or (CH.sub.2)n-aryl, wherein aryl is phenyl or a heteroaromatic ring containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O and S and which may be mono- or di-substituted n is 0-4; R.sub.9 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl OCF.sub.3, OCHF.sub.2, OCH.sub.2 F, halogen, CN, CF.sub.3, OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, NR.sub.6 R.sub.7, SO.sub.3 CH.sub.3, SO.sub.3 CF.sub.3, SO.sub.2 NR.sub.6 R.sub.7, an unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic or heteroaromatic ring containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N and O, wherein the substituent(s) is(are) C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; or COR.sub.8 ; wherein R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are as defined above, as (R)- enantiomers, (S)-enantiomers or racemates in the form of a free base or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing said therapeutically active compounds and to the use of said active compounds in therapy.