How To Understand The Difference and Similarities Between Anxiety And Depression

Treatment Options For Both

There are multiple treatment options for both disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to help patients face anxiety and deal with depressing thoughts. Talk therapy is helpful for working through both depressed and anxious feelings. Some antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety disorders. Similarly, some anti-anxiety medications can be used to treat depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRIs, can treat both anxiety and major depression. It should be noted, though, SSRIs should not be used for bipolar disorder without a mood stabilizer.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, target both norepinephrine and serotonin neurotransmitters. They can help with both depression and anxiety. Benzodiazepines are typically used for panic disorders and anxiety disorders on a short-term basis, but aren't recommended for long-term use due to their risk of dependency. Both depression and anxiety can be treated by tricyclic antidepressants as well, though these have many potential side effects and should be monitored carefully.