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Treating Depression and Anxiety

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What causes depression and GAD?

Neurotransmitters in the brain play a key role in regulating mood and behavior. People with a low level of a neurotransmitter called serotonin seem to be predisposed to developing depression and GAD. For some reason, GAD is about twice as likely to appear in women as in men. Depression or GAD is often triggered by events such as:

  • Divorce, death of a spouse, loss of a job, or serious financial problems
  • Abuse of alcohol or other drugs
  • Certain medications and diseases
  • Hormonal changes in women associated with childbirth or menopause
  • A family history of depression
  • In older adults, health problems and functional limitations associated with aging

Depression and GAD are Treatable Illnesses

Sometimes the exact cause of a person's depression or GAD is not known. And, although the causes may vary, Lexapro is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for both depression and GAD.


How can Lexapro help me?

Lexapro is the newest member of the family of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Lexapro helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the available supply of serotonin, a neurotransmitter believed to influence mood. Lexapro appears to relieve depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels without affecting many of the other chemicals in the brain, which may lead to fewer and milder side effects.


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