Anxiety disorders and depression are the two most common diagnoses in mental health. Some people have both anxiety and depression at the same time. Both conditions are treated by many of the same medications, but dosages can vary.

It is a common trusted Source for you to feel anxiety occasionally. Mental distress and physical discomfort can be symptoms. Anxiety disorders can develop when the pressure doesn’t decrease as expected. Symptoms may interfere with daily activities. There are many types of anxiety disorders.

Depressive Disorder is a condition in which an individual has experienced symptoms of low-spiritedness, including changes in sleep, eating, working and habits, for at least two weeks. A person may experience sadness, hopelessness, despair, and irritability. There are different types of depression.

This article explores how frequently anxiety and depression occur together, what medications treat both conditions and management tips.

Prevalence and prevalence of depression and anxiety

A 2015 study published in the World Journal of Psychiatry states that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common trusted Source of anxiety disorder. Major depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most common depressive Disorder.

According to the study, 62% of people with GAD could also develop MDD during their lifetime, and 59% had MDD episodes within the past year.

Two schools of thought exist about why these conditions are often seen together. According to one theory, anxiety and depression are activated by similar biological functions. It may be that the chemical in the brain allows for one condition to occur and the other.

One theory is that similar symptoms often characterize anxiety disorders and depression. This makes it easy to diagnose both diseases.

Medication for depression and anxiety

Several types of medications treat anxiety and depression. They include:

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the drugs doctors’ Trust Source prescribe most often to treat anxiety and depression disorders. These drugs work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain.

SSRIs prescribed by doctors in the US include

• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• sertraline (Zoloft)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• citalopram (Celexa)
• escitalopram (Lexapro)

SSRIs can be found in capsule or tablet form, depending on their type. Some SSRIs may be available in liquid form.

SSRIs may cause several side effects.

• Feeling agitated and nervous
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Loss of appetite
• Weight changes
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• dry mouth
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• headaches
• sexual dysfunction

Other serious side effects include:

• Easily bruised?
• vomit blood that may look like coffee grounds
• Blood in the stool
• confusion
• movement problems
• hallucinations
• Problems Urinating

A person should immediately contact a doctor if these side effects are severe.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Examples of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) include venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs work similarly to SSRIs. However, SNRIs stop both serotonin (and norepinephrine) from being reabsorbed into nerve cells. These drugs are usually in tablet form.

Side effects of SNRIs include:

• Gastrointestinal issues
• insomnia
• sexual dysfunction
• Weight gain
• A minor rise in blood pressure

Combining medications is safe for people.

Combining medications can be the best way to treat anxiety or depression. The following medicines may be prescribed by a doctor in addition to SSRIs or SNRIs or used on their own.

Benzodiazepines

SSRIs, SNRIs, and other antidepressants take 2-4 weekTrusted Source before they reach their full effect. A doctor may prescribe fast-acting benzodiazepine medications for people with panic attacks or severe anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are addictive medications. People should follow the advice of their doctors when taking them. Doctors will prescribe them in the lowest dosage possible and only when necessary.

Benzodiazepines slow down the nerve impulse transmission between the brain and body.

Examples include:

• alprazolam (Xanax)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• diazepam (Valium)
• lorazepam (Ativan)

The side effects of benzodiazepines include:

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• Confusing words and phrases
• Euphoria
• Thinking Disorder
• Memory loss
• Sleepiness
• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision
• nausea
• Gastrointestinal issues

The use of these drugs can cause dependence and adverse effects, such as:

• Increased anxiety
• Personality changes
• Lethargy and Weakness
• fatigue, drowsiness and sleepiness
• Dreams
• Headaches
• rash
• Weight gain
• addiction

Buspirone

Buspirone, an anti-anxiety drug that doctors prescribe to treat GAD, is commonly given in a dose of 15-60TrustedSource milligrams. It is available in tablet form, and most people take it twice a day.

This medication is an anti-anxiolytic that affects the levels of neurotransmitters and serotonin in the brain. Anxiolytic refers to a substance which reduces anxiety.

Buspirone side effects may include:

• dizziness
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Nervousness
• Confusing words and phrases
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• Trouble sleeping
• Anger or hostility
• numbness
• Sweating

Other side effects include:

• Rash
• hives
• Itching
• Swelling of the lips, face, eyes or throat
• irregular heartbeat
• Blurred vision
• uncontrollable shaking
• An agitation
• fever
• Sweating and flushing
• Confusing words and phrases
• shivering
• seizures
• Hallucinations
• Loss of coordination

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms.

Tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants are an older class of antidepressants that can be used when SSRIs or SNRIs fail to work. They can be effective for treating anxiety disorders but may have side effects.

Examples of tricyclic antidepressants are:

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Amoxapine
• Trimipramine (Surmontil),
• Tofranil (Imipramine)
• Sinequan (doxepin)
• Nortriptyline, also known as Pamelor (nortriptyline),

Side EffectsTrusted Source Tricyclic Antidepressants include

• Dry mouth
• constipation
• Blurred vision
• Drowsiness
• low blood pressure
• Urinary problems
• Confusing words and phrases
• fainting
• seizures
• Heartbeat irregularities

Diagnostic criteria for anxiety

The doctor will check for a few things to diagnose GAD.

According to the DSM-5-TR (DSM-5 TR), the individual should have difficulty controlling their worry, and anxiety should be associated with at least three symptoms more often than not in the past six months.

• Restlessness or feeling “keyed-up.”
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• Problems concentrating
• Irritability
• muscle tension
• Trouble sleeping

Diagnostic criteria state that symptoms must be clinically significant and cause distress or impairment of essential functions. Substance abuse or other medical or mental conditions should not explain the symptoms.

Diagnostic criteria for depression

A doctor will check for these symptoms to diagnose depression using (Trusted Source):

• Depressed mood
• decreased interest or enjoyment for most or all activities
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Hypersomnia or insomnia is when someone sleeps excessively.
• Psychomotor impairment
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• A diminished ability to concentrate or think
• indecisiveness
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide or suicidal ideas with or without planning an attempt

According to current diagnostic criteria, a person must have symptoms that cause clinically significant stress and interfere with their daily lives. Five or more symptoms must be present for most of the day, at least two weeks consecutively, before a doctor can diagnose a major depressive episode.

The symptoms must not be caused by substance abuse or a medical condition. The signs should not be due to substance abuse or a medical condition.

Additional Tips and Treatments

You can manage anxiety or depression in your home by:

• Limiting alcohol caffeine
• Sleeping enough
• exercising daily
• meditating
• Humour
• balanced meals
• Plan time to relax and do Yoga or a Massage. Or, practice Deep Breathing Techniques.
• volunteering
• Learn about anxiety and depression
• Talking with someone you trust about your thoughts and feelings

Summary

Several medications, including combinations, can help treat anxiety and depression.

Most people will find that newer SSRIs or SNRIs are less likely to cause side effects and still provide clinical results. These medications may not be effective for some people, in which case older tricyclics may be the better choice.

A doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines early in the treatment if anxiety is an issue. These medications can become habit-forming, and they should not be used long-term. They act as a bridge until SSRIs or SNRIs are effective.