Depression drugs help reduce anxiety, study confirms

A new review confirms that antidepressants can effectively reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), at least in the short term. However, there is little information about their long-term effects. The study, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, analyzed multiple trials to see how well these medications work.

GAD is a common mental health condition that causes excessive worry about everyday situations. It affects millions of people worldwide. Doctors often prescribe antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), to help manage anxiety.

These medications are recommended by health organizations such as the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Despite their effectiveness, many people misunderstand antidepressants. Some think they are only used for depression, while others feel there is a stigma attached to taking them. This can make people hesitant to use them for anxiety, even though they can be helpful.

The Cochrane review examined 37 clinical trials involving over 12,000 participants. These studies compared antidepressants to a placebo (a pill with no active ingredients) to see if they made a difference in treating GAD.

Most of the trials took place in high-income countries, such as the United States and several European nations. Around 60% of the participants were women, reflecting the fact that GAD is more commonly diagnosed in women.

The results showed that antidepressants were significantly more effective than placebo. People taking the medication were 41% more likely to see an improvement in their symptoms.

Importantly, the dropout rates—meaning the number of people who stopped taking the medication—were similar between the antidepressant and placebo groups. This suggests that most people tolerate the medications well.

Dr. Giuseppe Guaiana, a psychiatrist involved in the study, said the findings clearly show that antidepressants help people with GAD. He noted that in clinical trials, patients who took these medications for one to three months experienced meaningful improvements.

However, there are still gaps in the research. One major limitation is that most trials only included people who had GAD but no other mental health conditions. In real life, many people with GAD also have depression or other mental health issues. Future research should focus on how antidepressants work for patients with multiple conditions.

Another issue is that the studies were short-term, lasting only four to 12 weeks. There is little data on what happens when people take these medications for months or even years.

Katarina Kopcalic, the lead author of the review, emphasized that we need more research on the long-term benefits and potential risks of antidepressants. Many people take them for extended periods, but scientists still don’t know enough about their long-term effects.

Despite these uncertainties, the review sends an important message: antidepressants can be very effective for managing GAD, especially for people who don’t respond well to other treatments. However, more research is needed to understand how they work in the long run and in people with more complex mental health needs.

The research findings can be found in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.