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Medication for Anxiety & Depression: What You Need to Know
- Dr Titilayo Akinsola
- Oct 9
- 5 min read
Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. Many people find themselves experiencing worry, low mood, fear, fatigue, sleep disturbances, or trouble concentrating — sometimes all at once. When these symptoms become severe, persistent, or interfere with daily life, medication can be a very effective part of a treatment plan.
At Favor Mental Health, our philosophy is: medication isn’t a replacement for therapy, lifestyle change, or mental health work — it’s a tool to help you regain stability so that you can do the rest more effectively.
Here’s a guide to the common medications for anxiety and depression, how they work, what to expect, and what we prioritize when prescribing.
Major Classes of Medications
Below are the main types of medications used for treating anxiety and depression. Each class has distinct mechanisms, strengths, and trade-offs.
Medication Class | Common Drugs / Examples | How They Work | When They Are Often Used |
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) | Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil), Citalopram (Celexa) | Increase serotonin levels in the brain by blocking its reuptake, which tends to improve mood, reduce anxiety, help with worry, panic, social anxiety. | First-line choice in many cases because of good safety profile; often used for generalized anxiety, depression, panic disorder, social anxiety, etc. |
SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) | Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) | These medications increase both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which can help with mood and energy, plus symptoms like physical pain, fatigue. | Used when SSRIs are insufficient, or when depression is significant and accompanied by physical symptoms (e.g. pain, low energy), or when anxiety is severe. |
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) | Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Nortriptyline | These older drugs also affect serotonin and norepinephrine and additional neurotransmitters. They tend to have more side effects. | Often reserved for treatment-resistant cases (when newer antidepressants don’t help), or when cost or availability of newer options is a barrier. |
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) | Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Isocarboxazid | These block the enzyme (monoamine oxidase) that breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine; raising their levels. | Rarely used today, because of dietary restrictions, side-effect risks, and interactions. Useful in specific, stubborn cases. |
Anxiolytics (non-antidepressant anti-anxiety meds) | Buspirone (Buspar), Hydroxyzine, sometimes benzodiazepines (short-term) | Buspirone works gradually, helping reduce general anxiety and tension; hydroxyzine can be used for more immediate calming; benzodiazepines act fast to dampen over-arousal of the nervous system. | For situational anxiety, acute anxiety spikes, panic attacks, or as “bridge” while waiting for antidepressants to take full effect. Benzos used with caution because of dependence risk. |
Other / Adjunctive Medications | Occasionally, antidepressants with different neurotransmitter effects (or atypical antipsychotics as add-on), sedative antidepressants (like trazodone) for insomnia overlap, or medications that treat specific symptoms (sleep, agitation) | These help when standard meds are not enough or when there are overlapping symptoms (e.g. depression + insomnia + anxiety). | Used in more complex cases (co-morbid conditions, treatment-resistant depression, mixed anxiety-depression). |
What to Expect When You Start Medication
Knowing what typically happens can help reduce worry and improve adherence:
Delay until effect: Most antidepressant/SSRI/SNRI medications take several weeks (often 4-6, sometimes up to 8) to show full effects on mood and anxiety. Patience is essential.
Initial side effects: GI upset, mild headache, jitteriness, sleep changes, or appetite changes are common early. Many subside with time.
Dose adjustment: Often need gradual dose increases; if side effects are bad, dose may be held steady until tolerated.
Combined with therapy & lifestyle: Medication works best when paired with therapy (e.g. CBT), good sleep, exercise, stress management, healthy eating. Medication opens the door; the rest helps walk through it.
Risks & Side Effects to Know
While medications can bring relief, there are trade-offs. Part of our value at Favor Mental Health is helping you weigh benefits vs risks. Some common concerns:
Potential Side Effect | What It Looks Like | What We Watch For / Manage |
Sexual dysfunction, reduced libido | Difficulty in arousal, delayed orgasm, etc. | Switching meds, lowering dose, adjunct therapies. |
Weight gain or weight changes | Some SSRIs/SNRIs can increase appetite; sedation might reduce activity. | Monitoring, diet & exercise support, choosing meds carefully. |
Sleep disturbance (either insomnia or sleepiness) | Trouble falling asleep, or excessive drowsiness | Adjust timing, choose meds with less sedative effect, possible adjunct sleep meds. |
Gastro-intestinal Upset | Nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, often early on | Titrate slowly, take with food, use supportive care. |
Elevated blood pressure (SNRIs) | Slight increases in BP, especially in higher doses | Monitor vital signs, check medical history. |
Discontinuation / withdrawal syndrome | When stopping abruptly: dizziness, mood changes, flu-like symptoms | We taper down gradually, not “cold turkey.” |
Risk of dependence (for benzodiazepines) | Anxiety may worsen if stopped suddenly, tolerance develops | Limit duration, low dose, monitored use. |
How Favor Mental Health Prescribes Safely & Effectively
Here are some principles we apply in our clinic in Bel Air, Maryland, to ensure medication help is safe, effective, and aligned with your life and values:
Individualized Assessment
We start with a thorough psychiatric evaluation: history of anxiety & depression, any other medical conditions, prior treatments, current symptoms, lifestyle, risk factors.
Patient Goals & Preferences
What matters to you? Quick relief vs gradual stability? Fewer side effects? Cost / insurance concerns? Ability to attend follow-ups? We co-design treatment plans.
Start Low & Go Slow
We often begin with lower doses to see how you tolerate, then gradually increase if needed.
Regular Monitoring
Follow-ups to track symptoms, side effects, mood / anxiety levels, physical health. Adjust treatment if progress isn’t happening or side effects are intolerable.
Combination Treatment
Medication + psychotherapy + lifestyle (sleep, exercise, diet, stress management) tends to give the best outcomes.
Transparent Communication
Discuss risks, side-effects, what to expect, when meds might need to change, when “non-response” might lead to switching or augmentation.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Can one medication treat both anxiety and depression?
Yes — many SSRIs and SNRIs are effective for both. Favor Mental Health often starts with those when both anxiety and depression are present.
How long will I be on medication?
Depends — sometimes for episodes (6-12 months), sometimes longer if symptoms are chronic or recur. Always paired with regular reviews.
What if meds stop working?
Then we consider dose increase, switching to another medication, adding adjunct medications, or combining with more intensive therapy.
Will I become dependent on meds?
Most antidepressants are not “addictive” in the way benzodiazepines are, but stopping abruptly or skipping doses can cause unpleasant symptoms. We always taper when discontinuing.
Bottom Line
Medication for anxiety and depression can offer real relief. It doesn’t “fix” everything on its own, but when carefully selected, monitored, and combined with therapy and self-care, it often makes possible the changes you want in mood, energy, sleep, and daily functioning.
If you’re considering starting medication, switching, or simply want to know your options — Favor Mental Health is here to help you understand what might work for you, support you through the process, and make sure your treatment plan aligns with your life, goals, and values.
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