Key early studies: US National Comorbidity Survey Part I

As outlined on the slide, the use of any psychotropic medication for GAD (≥4 times) was associated with a reduced risk of depression (aHR: 0.52 [95% CI: 0.21, 0.84], p=0.001); however, neither prescription of a medication for GAD nor the use of specialized mental health services were significantly associated with the risk of depression (aHR: 1.02 [95% CI=0.55, 1.89], p=0.90, and aHR: 1.10 [95% CI=0.62, 1.97], p=0.70, respectively).¹

Reference:
1. Goodwin RD, Gorman JM. Psychopharmacologic treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and the risk of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 2002; 159 (11): 1935–1937.