---
title: What is the best treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, including PMDD?
description: SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) are the first-line treatment for most depression and anxiety disorders, as well as for PMDD. Other newer antidepressants are
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/depression-and-anxiety-disorders-2001/
---

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- What is the best treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, including PMDD?

Review, 2001

# What is the best treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, including PMDD?

SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) are the first-line treatment for most depression and anxiety disorders, as well as for PMDD. Other newer antidepressants are options if SSRIs don't work or cause side effects.

 Moderate study design

Not a study of specific people; a clinical review article

## What they did

This is a literature review article that summarizes evidence about depression and anxiety disorders and recommended treatments.

## What they found

SSRIs are recommended first-line because they are effective, require minimal dose adjustments, have favorable side effects, and have extensive clinical experience. PMDD is classified as a depressive disorder. Treatment considerations include therapy, medication, and when to refer to mental health specialists.

## What it means for you

SSRIs are well-studied and recommended for PMDD by clinicians. However, this is a review article summarizing general recommendations rather than reporting results from a single study, so it cannot tell you whether SSRIs will work for you specifically.

2

Times more likely women are to have depression compared to men

## About the study

Original title Depression and anxiety disorders Authors Brown CS Journal Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America Year 2001 Study design Review What was tested SSRIs and other antidepressants Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0889-8545(05)70199-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0889-8545(05)70199-6)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Survey study, 2001

How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how is it related to other psychiatric conditions?

Review, 1999

Do SSRI antidepressants work for PMDD?

Survey study, 1997

How are anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders linked to PMDD?

Cohort study, 2012

How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2004

Does paroxetine controlled-release help PMDD symptoms?

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