Medications

[Karry]

Do antidepressants work for anxiety I don't think that they do tell me what you think

[Hidden]

You are right that anxiety and depression can be two separate issues requiring different medications. As I often say on here, there is no one size fits all treatment. The reality is that doctors often prescribe certain antidepressants for anxiety, the drug they choose will often be for no reason other than they regularly use that one - most of those drugs have little to choose between them as all of them will alter serotonin levels. People often forget or dont know that these drugs may take weeks to have any effect at all, and may not have any effect on some people.

Antidepressants are used because it was seen that they sometimes have an effect on anxiety in some people - but as I say, not everyone will feel any effect at all, and you may be several types before the 'right' one is found that you can tolerate. There is also the issue of dependence and withdrawal symptoms in some of those antidepressants. However, I emphasise that some of these drugs will work for some people in controlling symptoms, but not curing the disorder itself.

The drugs that were used before to treat anxiety were the anxiolytics - but when it was seen that antidepressants could have an effect they became the drug of choice.

So your original conclusion is partially correct. Antidepressants will not work for some people who only have anxiety disorder. Also - no point in having medication if not accompanied by other interventions which actually address the disorder and not just the symptoms.

Karl

[denvajade]

Hi I developed anxiety a few weeks ago, always had depression. My doctor put me on cymbalta and the anxiety calmed right down.

[Agora1]

I don't think they do either but my doctor swears by it saying Lexapro is good for anxiety. I think, especially in my case, it comes to a point where they don't know

what to do anymore and treat more for the depression that anxiety may cause by

it's life altering daily problems. Good Luck in whatever you choose.