Medications for anxiety and depression help normalize brain chemicals involved in regulating moods, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Anti-anxiety drugs work for some anxiety conditions, and some of the same antidepressants used for depression have been found to improve anxiety conditions. The medications are effective for each condition or for patients who suffer from both anxiety and depression.
Identification
Co-existing conditions often occur among people with depression and anxiety. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is not uncommon for patients to suffer from multiple anxiety disorders and depression. They benefit significantly from antidepressants. Some patients receive combination treatment that includes antidepressants, stimulants and anti-anxiety medication. However, anti-anxiety medications and stimulants do not seem to work for depression when taken alone, the NIMH indicates.
Function
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also called SSRIs, are among the latest antidepressants and produce fewer side effects than earlier medications. SSRIs inhibit the reabsorbing process of serotonin in the brain. The brain normally reabsorbs serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved with emotions, after the chemical performs a function. When the reabsorption process is blocked, more serotonin is available to improve moods, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
Considerations
Tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, called MAOIs, are among the older antidepressants. They are still often prescribed for anxiety and depression patients because each patient responds differently depending on the particular condition. Tricyclic antidepressants became the preferred treatment for anxiety treatment over benzodiazepines, an anti-anxiety medication, which can become habit forming and only prescribed for short-term treatment. Tricyclics work for longer periods. Newer anti-anxiety drugs have been developed to work for longer terms.
Types
Fluoxetine, sertraline and citalopram are some of the SSRIs prescribed for social phobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress. Venlafaxine treats generalized anxiety disorder. Venlafaxine is in a closely related class of SSRIs called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. Tricyclics include imipramine, which is used for panic and generalized anxiety disorders. Clomipramine works for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Phenelzine and tranylcypromine are MAOIs prescribed for panic disorder and social phobia.
Benefits
Prescribing the right medication for each patient is a matter of trial and error, especially when conditions include both anxiety and depression. Doctors encourage patients to try another medication if the first one does not work. Patients who switch to a different medication or add another medication to the current one increase their chances of improving their conditions, the NIMH points out.
