Anxiety disorders significantly impact your daily life routines. At times, finding the right treatment to overcome anxiety can be difficult. Many people have this common concern: “Does Wellbutrin help with anxiety?” Although it is effective for depression, it can also control anxiety disorders.
Since Wellbutrin helps the brain to remain motivated, focused, and energetic, it can help overcome anxiety disorders. It is important to learn about Wellbutrin and its connection with anxiety disorder improvement, along with understanding Wellbutrin side effects and what signs indicate Wellbutrin is working.
In this article, we’ll elaborate more on “Does Wellbutrin help with anxiety?”, its side effects, and details on the connection of Wellbutrin with anxiety.
What is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is known as bupropion, which works as an antidepressant, helping in increasing energy and motivation. It works by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which might reduce impulsive thoughts, helping in staying more focused at work.
Doctors prescribe it for certain conditions, as it might result in situations such as irritability and restlessness. Mostly, it is used to treat major depressive disorder, smoking cessation, and seasonal affective disorder.
Depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders might affect the sugar levels and blood pressure. If you ever experience mental pressure, it is recommended to visit an ER immediately for an instant medical checkup.
At the ER of Irving, we offer the best emergency services with quick results.
Does Wellbutrin help with anxiety?
The answer to it is “yes”; it is mostly used to treat depression but can also relieve anxiety symptoms. It reduces impulsive thoughts and helps in being more energetic and motivated. It can also be used for ADHD symptoms, as Wellbutrin for ADHD helps in managing anxious signs.
When a person is new to Wellbutrin, they might experience some problems, most probably trouble while sleeping, heightened paranoia (for which you need to get a paranoia test), and might feel more nervous. Gradually, it might bring improvements; however, it is strongly recommended to track how well Wellbutrin is working.
Wellbutrin is most effective for treating anxiety if it is mixed with depression and fatigue. If the signs of anxiety are increasing even after taking Wellbutrin, then it is recommended to consult a doctor.
How long does Wellbutrin take to work?

The effectiveness of Wellbutrin depends on multiple factors. Here is a general, common week-to-week breakdown of its results.
Weeks |
Impact |
1 Week (0-7 days) |
Might observe some beneficial side effects, such as insomnia, tiredness, and dry mouth. |
1-2 Weeks |
Early improvements and some temporary decrease in anxiety attacks. |
3-4 Weeks |
Much improvement, but at an early stage. Mood starts improving, and anxiety symptoms start decreasing. |
5-8 Weeks |
Significant impact in helping make mood stable, and focus improves. This is the time when you see signs that wellbutrin is working. |
8+ weeks |
Significant recovery with minor signs of anxiety, which keep decreasing.
If no changes are observed by this time, then it means Wellbutrin is not effective. |
Effective Signs Wellbutrin is working.
There are different signs observed if Wellbutrin is working. At times, a person might not observe these common signs, but the Wellbutrin still works to treat their anxiety. With proper tracking of health progress and its impact, you can estimate whether Wellbutrin for anxiety is working or not.
Common signs that Wellbutrin is working
- Stability in mood
- Less impulsive thoughts
- More focus and concentration on work
- Improvement in sleep patterns
- Less depression
- More energetic
Wellbutrin Side Effects
Although Wellbutrin is not really harmful, like other medications, it also comes with a set of side effects. The impact of these side effects differs from person to person. Some might experience a severe attack of these side effects, whereas some might observe mild problems. By having an idea about its range, you can take necessary actions.
During the early stages of improvement, a person might feel some of these side effects, which are, in reality, a process of healing. Below are a few common side effects;
- Headaches and fatigue
- Problem sleeping or insomnia
- Nausea
- Increase in heart rate
- Abdominal Pain (Rare)
If a person experiences an increase in heart rate cycle, then it is always advised to get an emergency EKG done, as it might be a sign of borderline ECG.
Other Treatments for Anxiety

Although Wellbutrin is effective for anxiety, it is not the only treatment used to treat anxiety. Depending on your health and the impact on your body, your doctor can advise the right treatment for you. The doctor might also recommend some other treatment alongside Wellbutrin.
Therapies
Different types of talk therapy (psychotherapy) are among the most common and effective treatment methods for anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Exposure Therapy are a few common approaches.
Medications
If Wellbutrin does not work or show effective results, then doctors recommend some other alternative medications for anxiety.
Lifestyle changes
Maintaining a healthy routine also assists in reducing anxiety attacks. A few common strategies are regular exercise, balanced sleep, a healthy diet, and meditation.
Self-Monitoring
Keeping track of health conditions can help you take necessary and helpful actions beforehand. It is recommended to get a schizophrenia test, a paranoia test, and an ECG (in case of heart-related issues, to avoid heart attack chances), check for temperature, or take necessary high fever care.
Conclusion
So, does Wellbutrin help with social anxiety? The answer is partially yes, as it depends on person to person. Wellbutrin could be effective for some, helping them boost their energy and be more focused, whereas some might observe no changes in anxiety.
In reality, it takes around 6-8 weeks to show significant changes; however, if no changes are observed within this time span, then the Wellbutrin is not working properly. If Wellbutrin is not working for anxiety, then different alternative treatment plans can be adopted.
If you or your loved ones face sudden mood changes, anxiety, or paranoia while taking Wellbutrin, then immediately visit us at the ER of Irving, where we offer instant emergency services or can refer you to the right specialist.
Visit us now or call us at (972) 893-3148 for the best medical help.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How soon does Wellbutrin treat anxiety?
It depends upon multiple factors, but you can observe significant changes after taking Wellbutrin for 6-8 weeks.
Does Wellbutrin cause abdominal pain?
Once you start taking Wellbutrin, you might feel abdominal pain, including hormonal changes, which gradually go away.
Does Wellbutrin help with depression?
Yes, it helps in relaxing the brain muscles, which helps in making them more focused and energetic.
What are the side effects of Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin has a few negative impacts, especially during the first week; it makes you restless, and you face difficulty sleeping.