How does wellbutrin (bupropion) (and similar meds) help with depression and anxiety?

Enhance signals: Antidepressants enhance the effect of natural chemical messengers in the brain. Different antidepressants may enhance different chemicals therefore not everyone responds to the same meds and some may need a combination of medications. Wellbutrin (bupropion) works on Adrenalin and Dopamine mostly. Ssri meds like Prozac and Lexapro work mostly on serotonin. I describe in my book: psychiatry in techno colors.

Still theory: It is believed that by affecting certain neurochemical levels in the brain that normal emotional levels will be obtained. The 3 neurotransmitters that current antidepressant affect are sertonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Wellbutrin is the only antidepressant that works on dopamine. Ssri's, like lexapro, prozac, etc. Target sere, while snri's, like Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta affect sere and nore.

Dep, usu not anxiety: Wellbutrin (bupropion) helps 2/3 to 3/4 of patients with clinical depression feel better, about the same as other antidepressants. It is not an anti-anxiety med, and won't help anxiety directly. However, sometimes anxiety is a symptom of depression. In this case, if the depression is treated the anxiety may go away as well.