Anti-anxiety medications are used to treat various symptoms, including depression. However, this does not guarantee the medications will always make matters better for people dealing with depression. In fact, these medications can actually make depression worse in some instances. Here’s why and what you need to know about depression and anti-anxiety medications.
How Anti-Anxiety Medications Work
Typically, two medications are used to treat anxiety. The first is called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These include brand names, such as Cymbalta and Effexor. These medications are used for depression and mood disorders and are also prescribed for other medical conditions like fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain. They’re called reuptake inhibitors because they work in the body by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, which help stabilize mood.
