Wellbutrin is a prescription medication that can be used for several purposes, not least of which includes anxious depression. Clinical reviews have found that wellbutrin can be highly effective for people who struggle with anxiety and depression at the same time, working to deal with the low energy of depression and resolving the anxiety.
Does Wellbutrin Help With Anxiety?
Yes, Wellbutrin can help with anxiety, but as it’s not traditionally approved by the FDA as an anti-anxiety medication, its effects vary widely from one person to the next. It is primarily approved to treat seasonal affective disorder and major depressive disorder. When used off-label for anxiety treatment, it can cause different results, in some cases making anxiety worse for the first few weeks.
The activating properties of Wellbutrin work well to encourage mental clarity and management of daily stress for people whose anxiety stems from being unable to focus or feeling overwhelmed. It also has fewer common side effects compared to traditional anxiety or depression medications, and works well with inpatient or outpatient anxiety treatment.
Why It Can Make Anxiety Worse
That said, Wellbutrin works by increasing norepinephrine, a chemical associated with the fight or flight response which means it acts as a mild stimulant. This can help people with the motivation they might need to overcome anxiety associated with low motivation but in some cases it can cause jitteriness especially during the first few weeks of use, things like increased agitation or restlessness.
This means it may not be a good off label fit for things like panic disorders or those who deal with panic attacks. However, whether or not you decide to use Wellbutrin or move away from Wellbutrin, you can still find treatment for things like panic attacks or panic disorders especially with our multiple levels of care.
Getting Help for Anxiety with Sequoia Detox
If you are looking for treatment with anxiety, whether or not you want to use Wellbutrin or steer away from Wellbutrin, we can review your medical history and help you decide how things like lifestyle changes and therapy can be of use. Offering every level of care, we can provide help for initial detox and residential inpatient care or a lower level of outpatient care for those who need help with anxiety and addiction recovery.
Call our team today at 1-866-824-0709 to learn more.
FAQ
Is Wellbutrin FDA-approved to Treat Anxiety Disorders?
No, Wellbutrin (bupropion) is primarily FDA-approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or smoking cessation under the name Zyban. However, it is often used off-label to treat isolated anxiety disorders like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
How Does Wellbutrin Work Differently from Standard Anxiety Medicines?
Standard anxiety medications, like SSRIs (e.g., Lexapro, Zoloft), work by targeting your serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps you feel calm. Wellbutrin, on the other hand, is a Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI) which increases the availability of norepinephrine and dopamine. These are chemicals tied to energy, motivation, and alertness.
Can Wellbutrin Make Anxiety Symptoms Worse?
When you first start Wellbutrin or as you increase your dose, it can cause sensations that feel like your anxiety is getting worse. This is because Wellbutrin initially increases norepinephrine, a chemical that increases the fight or flight response in the body. As such, it has activating properties that result in feelings of jitteriness, restlessness, and rapid heart rate which can trigger or mimic panic. However, these are short-lived and it is important to remember that initial side effects do not mean a medication is not working.
When Is Wellbutrin Best for Anxiety?
Wellbutrin is typically prescribed when someone is suffering from anxious depression, symptoms of depression and high anxiety. In these situations Wellbutrin can help individuals manage the anxiety part of their symptoms without the side effects of traditional SSRIs like emotional numbing, sexual dysfunction, or weight gain.
How Long Does it Take for Wellbutrin to Improve Anxiety Symptoms?
When prescribed for anxiety, Wellbutrin will typically result in initial improvements in mood and energy levels within the first 4 weeks but full reduction of anxiety takes consistent, daily use in conjunction with things like behavioral therapies over the span of several months.
Does the Initial Jitteriness From Wellbutrin Last Forever?
No, the majority of individuals who experienced restlessness, jitteriness, or physical anxiety when they started Wellbutrin found that those symptoms were temporary. While they can happen when you first start a Wellbutrin prescription, they typically resolve within 4 weeks as your central nervous system adapts to the new levels of neurotransmitters. As part of our medication management strategies we can go over these symptoms with you and monitor whether or not they fade or taper as you continue your prescription.
Can Wellbutrin be Combined with Other Anti-Anxiety Medications?
Yes, under direct medical supervision, Wellbutrin can be prescribed with things like buspirone or an SSRI. Combining second medications can have an impact on the jitteriness or physical anxiety while Wellbutrin can have an effect on lack of motivation and fatigue. That said, these are things that will be discussed when you reach out to our team or as you move through a treatment plan for anxiety.
Are There Specific Anxiety Conditions Where Wellbutrin Should Be Avoided?
Wellbutrin is generally used cautiously or avoided entirely when prescribed for someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder or primary panic disorder because it can aggravate acute panic symptoms or intrusive thoughts. In individuals who have a history of eating disorders or seizures, it is typically not prescribed. However, these are decisions that can be made with help from your primary care physician and other members of your wellness team. At our facility, we can work with your doctor and other healthcare professionals to find an alternative medication where necessary.
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