What is the difference between anxiety medications and anti-depressants?

Maxwell

I have anxiety disorder and depression, and my psychiatrist mentioned that it may be good for me to get on medication for my condition(s). I was wondering what is the difference between anxiety medications and anti-depressants? Can they be taken together or would they interfere with eachother? Would it be wise for me to take medications for both conditions?

nye_r · 12-17-2008, 07:37 PM

One brings you down and one brings you up.

66stang · 12-23-2008, 09:46 PM

Why ask us? Ask your doctor.

hellothere · 01-03-2009, 10:34 PM

You can take either but anti depressants can release serotonin in the brain to feel more happier which can reduce the anixety. But anxiety drugs usually work to calm you down.

dajani_dina · 01-17-2009, 11:49 PM

they are the same thing u only need to take one medication that agrees with u . depression causes anxiety and anxiety can lead to depression and most likely will . i take paxil cr i was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and mild depression paxil helped me allot.

Karma Police · 03-20-2009, 09:37 PM

Anxiety makes you jittery and nervous, depression makes you numb and blank. Axiety meds tend to bring you down and depression meds lift you up, does that make sense?Zoloft treats both depression and anxiety, I'm not entirely sure how, so that's probably what you should try.

03-24-2009, 10:25 PM

I have taken both at the same time.Anxiety medications are typically benzodiazopines, such as Valium or such. They would cause an immediate calming effect(or within say half an hour).Anti-depressants usually take time to build up in your system. My doctor said it could take a week, 2 weeks, a month, or 6 months before you really notice your mood has improved. Depends on the med and the person.In short, anti-anxieties will get you through the short term (probably no more that 10 days, or as needed), and anti depressants are used to improve your mood over the long run.Don't listen to anyone who says they are the same, or thinks you don't need them.. They are not the same, and don't interfere with one another. One takes time to work, one work sfairly quickly. Your doc will know what is best for your particulart situation.My doctor prescribed both, and yours may too depending on your situation. It would be wise to take your prescription and use it if you need it.