There are many medicines currently available for the treatment of anxiety and depression. The best antidepressant for anxiety and depression that suits your needs depends on how severe your anxiety or depression is. 

What is meant by anxiety and depression?

Both anxiety and depression are mental health conditions. 

Anxiety

Anxiety is associated with fear and is linked to a future-oriented mood and behaviour response. Patients with anxiety prepare themselves for future events or situations that they think are threatening.

This fear can disturb daily life and become worse as time passes. The different types of anxiety disorders are:

  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias
  • Generalized anxiety disorder

Depression

Depression is a disorder linked to mood. The common symptoms of depression are:

  • Hopelessness
  • Persistent sadness
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating and sleeping
  • Suicidal thoughts

Depression also interferes with a person’s life and daily routine as anxiety does. 

Best antidepressant for anxiety and depression

When people are experiencing depression and anxiety, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants and other medicines. The doctor decides the best antidepressant for anxiety and depression by seeing the person’s condition, symptoms, severity of their condition, and co-occurring conditions. Some medicines are just for the treatment of anxiety or depression, while others may treat both of them.

SSRIs

These are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and are a treatment for depression and anxiety. SSRIs increase the levels of a chemical in the brain that regulates mood and behaviour, called serotonin. When serotonin levels are low in the brain, this results in anxiety and depression, but when SSRIs increase the serotonin levels, this improves these conditions. 

SSRIs may take up to 6 weeks for the person to feel better and relieve the symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

Examples of SSRIs are:

  • Fluoxetine
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Sertraline
  • Citalopram
  • Paroxetine
  • Vilazodone
  • Escitalopram

Dosage of SSRIs

SSRIs are available as tablets, liquid suspensions, capsules, and solutions. The initial dose is different for every patient and every drug. A doctor should see the person’s condition and the severity of their symptoms to increase or decrease the dose as their body responds to the treatment. 

SNRIs

These are Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors, a group of medicines that are one of the best antidepressant for anxiety and depression. These work by blocking the reuptake of a chemical called noradrenaline or norepinephrine and serotonin, thus increasing their levels in the brain. This results in a beneficial effect on emotions and mood within 6-8 weeks of usage. 

Examples of SNRIs are:

  • Duloxetine
  • Venlafaxine
  • Desvenlafaxine
  • Milnacipran
  • Levomilnacipran

Dosage of SNRIs

Similar to SSRIs, the starting dose of SNRIs also depends on the medicines and the severity of anxiety. For instance, the initial dose of Venlafaxine is 37.5 to 75 mg per day, while Milnacipran, is 12.5 mg per day. 

Benzodiazepines

These are antianxiety medicines that enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain which produces repressive effects on the nerves and movement. These results in the treatment of anxiety symptoms, such as insomnia, muscle tension, and panic attacks within 30-60 days.

The examples of Benzodiazepines are:

  • Diazepam
  • Lorazeppam
  • Clonazepam
  • Alprazolam (Xanax)

Where to get the best antidepressant for anxiety and depression? 

A person should consult with their doctor if they have experienced the symptoms of anxiety and depression for more than a couple of weeks. If you wish to buy the best antidepressant for anxiety and depression, then visit the online pharmacy of Super Meds to choose from a wide range of medicines and order them online to get them at your home.