How does an anti-depressant work for both depression and anxiety?

I can only guess that maybe they work on the root. Think of ourselves as a tree with roots, a trunk, huge branches that yield smaller branches that sprout buds and leafs. What is deposited at ground level ultimately leaches up through these spaces and is slowly absorbed into the spaces that need filling. This is only a guess because I am not a medical professional. But, I have massive drug interactions and can only guess that our body works in strange ways for the good and the bad. If it works and you are satisfied with the result, so be it. I have no idea how the electricity that powers the light I am sitting next comes from the outlet in the wall which comes ultimately from a transformer somewhere, it just does. This is a strange attempt to answer a complex question but maybe it will help.

If you're taking one that does that, be glad that it does.

Hi, I appreciate the response, but that's not what I was asking.

Anxiety and depression seem to be opposites to me. That is why I am confused that an anti-depressant works on both.

I think that if we bypass all the information about how it works in our bodies and brain it might help make it less confusing. I agree that it seems like a contradiction but when you look at depression on it’s own you can either have anxiety and all the other symptoms when you’re depressed or you can have the opposite side of depression which includes feeling down, sad and tired unable to function well, possibly wanting to sleep a lot, simply put, depression affects everyone differently. There’s a fine line between the two symptoms of depression, I suffer from depression and I’m hyper, can’t focus on anything, poor appetite and unable to sleep, either way you’re prescribed the same medication and somewhere in our complex brain the medication balances out the symptoms, I hope that this helps you with your question.

@judybradford

It seems like a lot of people have both at the same time so an indication that they probably go together. I expect that the medical people learned that when they treat one that they oftentimes end up treating the other one too.

@judybradford

Can I ask what they prescribed for you??

Just curious. I take Zyban (Bupropion/Wellbutrin) and Fluoxetine (Prozac). I think what you are taking is like me - they "balance" each other. Cereal's better eaten with milk!! (That's not a good example but it helps it make some sortof sense to me .)

@smmattocks Just Trazodone, for sleep. I am not "depressed," never have been. The only anxiety I experience is when I cannot sleep.

@judybradford Depending on the medication you are taking, the medication works binds to neurotransmitters in your brain. If, for instance you are taking an SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) the medication inhibits the release or serotonin so that your brain is cued to make more serotonin. This can help with anxiety as well. An SNRI (Serotonin norepinephrine ruptake inhibitor) does the same thing, however it also targets norepinephrine, which is acts kind of like a stimulant. Too much of it may cause anxiety, too little can cause the opposite. I hope this makes sense. I take generic Cymbalta. It helps my anxiety and depression. I only take the smallest dose 30 mg. Some people are wired differently. For instance, I am a recovering alcoholic. I have ADHD and some other issues I won't go into here. Alcohol is a depressant, but for me, it made me hyper and ready to go. A lot of people pass out...not me. I was always on the go when I drank. I take a medication for my ADHD and the antidepressant. The effects of these meds work to keep my anxiety down. Dopamine is also affected and the med I take for ADHD targets the dopamine receptors. I hope that this makes sense.

Depression and anxiety.
Maybe they are two sides of the coin of fear.
Life is uncertain and can be punishing. The fear of this can manifest as anxiety.
When the anxiety fails to reduce the fear, we give up, hopeless =Depression.
Uncomfortable with our depression, and frightened of it, we become anxious about being depressed and sitting around in our pajamas.
The medications might act to short circuit this cycle.
Getting "Talked down from the ledge," also
works.

I take something for both & have for many years. They seem to work but
( don't laugh...) but you might try GOOGLE as it often explains things well.
Also ask your physician AND your pharmacist. All should be able to give
you some type of an answer.