Final answer:
Medications used to treat depression and anxiety disorders include SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine, benzodiazepines such as diazepam and alprazolam, β blockers, and MAOIs. SSRIs and benzodiazepines are commonly combined to treat both depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels and reducing anxiety symptoms, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medications used to treat depression, acute anxiety/panic, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are: 1) Antidepressants and benzodiazepines, 2) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and β blockers, 4) Anticonvulsants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Antidepressants like sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are typically used to manage symptoms of depression and sometimes anxiety disorders due to their ability to increase serotonin levels in the brain. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), are anti-anxiety medications that reduce symptoms like panic attacks through sedation, muscle relaxation, and decreasing anxiety. β blockers are used to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat and trembling.
Among these options, the combination of antidepressants, specifically SSRIs, and benzodiazepines is often used for treating both depression and various anxiety disorders. SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, increasing its availability, while benzodiazepines promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. MAOIs are another class of antidepressants that prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters, whereas anticonvulsants are usually prescribed for their mood-stabilizing properties.