A sedative for depression. List of drugs, instructions, reviews

There are actually many more patients with depression than official statistics have noted. Some of them do not go to the doctor, trying to cope with the disease on their own, especially since a mild sedative for depression can be obtained without a prescription. Many people do this when they try to drink the medicine that their friends, advertisements, or pharmacists have advised them. But this cannot be done: depression is a dangerous disease, if improperly treated, it can become chronic and cause more serious mental disorders. Moreover, when prescribing drugs, the doctor takes into account many factors, because not all people act the same way.

How to treat depression

At the first symptoms of a mental disorder, you should immediately consult a doctor. Only a specialist knows what pills to take for depression, and in which cases you can do without them. Many people try to cope on their own by taking over-the-counter antidepressants.

But such patients should know that the effect of these drugs is very individual and selective. In addition, taking tablets has never cured depression. Be sure to combine medicines with the right lifestyle, nutrition and psychotherapy. In many cases, only this can help the patient, and he does not need to take some medications, all the more sedatives have many contraindications and side effects. Therefore, the patient needs to monitor his thoughts and mood, communicate more, engage in sports and creativity, include in the diet products that promote the production of serotonin. It is generally believed that any food saves you from depression, but some make it more effective. These are tomatoes, whole grain bread, bananas and cheese. In addition, do not neglect traditional methods of treatment. Aromatherapy, massage, relaxing baths and herbal decoctions also help to cope with depression. But if the disease is in a moderate or severe stage, then the use of special medicines is necessary.

What to take with depression

Now there are many drugs designed to help people cope with this mental disorder. All of them are so different and have such a unique effect on the patient’s body that only a doctor can choose the right medication. Therefore, most of these drugs are sold on prescription. What are the most commonly prescribed drugs for depression?

1. Antidepressants are the largest group of drugs for this disease. They are designed to influence the patient’s mood, his mental state, cause an emotional upsurge and interest in life. Antidepressants for depression are prescribed most often, and some of them can even be purchased without a prescription. Among them, medications with a sedative effect can be distinguished. These are Amitriptyline, Azafen, Lerivon, and others. There are also stimulant drugs - Nortriptyline, Imipramine, or Fluoxitin. There are also antidepressants with a balanced effect, which do not have a pronounced sedative or aphrodisiac effect. This is Clomipramine, Pyrazedol, or Stablon.
2. Antipsychotics are very common in the treatment of various types of mental disorders. But many of them are also used in the treatment of depression. Such drugs relax, suppress feelings of fear and hallucinations, reduce the response to external stimuli and improve sleep. These include Haloperidol, Perferazine, Tiapridal, Truxal and others.
3. Tranquilizers are one of the most popular but dangerous groups of drugs. You can’t take them without a doctor’s recommendation, as they are very addictive and have many side effects. However, a drug belonging to this group can be used as a sedative for depression, as these drugs effectively relax, relieve cramps, remove fear and anxiety, and promote sleep. They are rarely used for course treatment, since the effect is observed after the first dose. The most famous tranquilizers are Diazepam, Elenium, Valium, Sedukesen, Lorazepam, Phenazepam and others.
4. Nootropic drugs improve the blood circulation of the brain and its ability to withstand negative external factors. These drugs act on the receptors and hormones responsible for the development of depression - serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. The most famous nootropic drugs include Piracetam, Glycine, Phenotropil, Noofen and others.
5. Normomitics are medicines that even out moods. They also have a calming and anticonvulsant effect. These are drugs such as Mazepin, Lithium Carbonate, Convulex, Epial and others.

What is sedative for?

The effect of such drugs in depression is not always effective. This is due to the cause of the disease, and the features of its course. This condition is not always accompanied by excitement. In the case of apathy, drowsiness and loss of strength, a sedative for depression can only aggravate the condition. In addition to the causes and symptoms that accompany the disease, the individual characteristics of the body must be considered when choosing drugs. Such drugs act so selectively that the doctor often has to act by trial and possibly error. This is due to the fact that a third of patients with depression cannot be cured with the help of common medications. In what cases can you use a sedative for depression?

If the patient is agitated and aggressive, cannot fall asleep and relax, feels fear and anxiety, such medicines will help him. Sedatives are also called sedatives and slow down the psychological and physiological reactions of the body. Therefore, they help the patient cope with anxiety, relax and fall asleep. Such drugs can conditionally be divided into two groups: sedatives of natural and synthetic origin. Naturals are made on the basis of medicinal herbs and are almost not addictive, although their effect is just as effective. Most sedatives can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription, but you should not take them without a doctor’s recommendation.

Features of antidepressants

Their action is based on the ability to relieve tension, anxiety and longing. They normalize mood and sleep.

1. One of the most popular antidepressants is Amitriptyline. Its price is quite low - from 20 to 50 rubles, but the treatment with the help of a course remedy, so you will need more than one pack of tablets. The effect of the drug is based on a decrease in anxiety and a decrease in motor arousal. This drug normalizes the hormones norepinephrine and serotonin, therefore it is used for sleep disorders, neurosis and emotional disorders. Amitriptyline is often used in treatment regimens for depression. Price plays a significant role in this, but the fact that it is easily tolerated by patients is also important. Therefore, reviews about it are mostly positive.
2. "Citalopram" well regulates the nervous state of patients and positively affects their mood. The drug suppresses feelings of anxiety, tension and fear, blocks panic and obsessive states, but almost does not cause drowsiness.
3. The sedative antidepressant Desipramine, sometimes found under the name Norpramin, helps reduce symptoms of depression. It well normalizes mood and improves sleep, even has a weak analgesic effect. The drug is popular because it almost does not cause side effects and addiction. Therefore, both doctors and patients speak well of him.
4. Wider indications of the drug "Clomipramine." The price is quite high - 200-300 rubles per package, which is still not enough for the course of treatment. But the fact that, in addition to relieving anxiety, panic and tension, it helps to eliminate chronic pain, makes it quite popular. The drug is used for any depressive disorders, as a sedative for neuroses, migraines and oncological diseases. Clomipramine is often prescribed for older people. Although its price is high, it is affordable for many, and the drug really helps.
5. Quite popular abroad, and now in our country, the drug "Fluoxetine", better known as "Prozac". The drug rarely causes side effects, and its effectiveness as a sedative in various nervous disorders is very high. It helps with depression, accompanied by intense fear and anxiety. Patients and doctors respond well to the drug.
6. In severe cases of panic disorder, Paroxetine is also used. The instruction recommends that it be prescribed for depression accompanied by anxiety and fear, with various phobias and panic, even with suicidal disorders. This is also a rather expensive medicine, especially since its effect, like most antidepressants, appears after 2-3 weeks of administration. But still, patients with depression often use the drug "Paroxetine." The instruction recommends taking it in the evening, since it has a pronounced sedative effect.

Tranquilizers

Such drugs are often prescribed as sleeping pills for those who cannot fall asleep. And with depression, tranquilizers perfectly help to cope with anxiety, relax and calm down. Most of them act within half an hour after administration, therefore they are used during panic attacks or a nervous breakdown. The most popular drugs of the benzodiazepine group are: "Phenazepam", "Diazepam", "Lorazepam", Tofizepam "and others. Some of them are better known under other names:" Seduxen "," Relanium "," Valium.

All of them relieve stress well, relax and help to fall asleep. Such drugs are indicated for anxiety, anxiety and panic. Often even healthy people use them as sleeping pills, which cannot be done without the advice of a doctor, as they quickly become addictive. But still, it is believed that the best sedative is Relanium or Phenazepam. Tranquilizers of other groups - Buspirone, Gedocarnyl, Mebicar, Amizil and others, have a similar effect and are also used for anxiety, sleep disturbances and muscle spasms. All such drugs cause drowsiness and relax, and also have many side effects, but there are a lot of positive reviews about them.

Other sedatives

1. Herbal-based Hypericum herbal medicine has few side effects and is almost non-addictive. But just like synthetic antidepressants, it is able to reduce the manifestations of anxiety and irritability, relieve stress and improve mood.

2. "Glycine" is a rather mild, but effective sedative. It is inexpensive and it improves mood and normalizes sleep due to the effect on the metabolism and blood circulation in the brain.

3. In recent years, it is believed that the best sedative is Afobazol. It has virtually no side effects and is not addictive. And his ability to effectively relieve anxiety and tension, normalize sleep and improve mood, makes him so popular.

4. For many years, motherwort has been used as a sleeping pill. A sedative is quite effective and safe. And now it is also available in the form of tablets, which makes its administration more convenient.

Best sedatives for women

Representatives of both sexes are almost equally affected by depression. But women are a little more likely to experience anxiety, fear and mental excitement and go to the doctor about this. Therefore, psychotherapists are more often prescribed sedatives for women. A fairly common occurrence is postpartum depression. At this time, the young mother needs psychological help, and often special drugs. But not every sedative for lactating women can be used. Many of these drugs pass into breast milk and adversely affect the baby. Therefore, a woman or her relatives must definitely consult a doctor who can choose the right drug. In mild cases, it is enough to take decoctions of herbs: chamomile, valerian, motherwort or mint. It is also acceptable to use homeopathic or herbal sedatives. The doctor may advise:

- "Novopassit", which quickly relaxes tense muscles, relieves anxiety and fear;

- instant tea "Hipp" in granules, which is a mild sedative;

- “Valerian” in tablets, because it calms well, but does not harm the child;

- "Persen"; this remedy is also a fairly safe homeopathic sedative.

No medicines, even those that seem harmless, should be drunk without consulting a doctor. In more severe cases of depression, a synthetic sedative for lactating women can sometimes be prescribed. Such antidepressants are used when the danger to the mother’s health is greater than the risk to the child. Many modern drugs practically do not penetrate into breast milk: Nortriptyline, Fluoxitin, Venlafaxine, or Sertraline.

Side effects from taking such drugs

Usually the negative effects are the same for different groups of drugs for depression. But they are not manifested in all patients. If taking the drug causes any side effects, you need to refuse it and consult a doctor about changing the medicine. What can the patient feel? The reactions may be as follows:

• nausea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, or an upset bowel;
• insomnia, anxiety, or irritation;
• drowsiness, fatigue, or weakness;
• sweating, hives, and itching;
• impaired vision and hearing;
• headaches or dizziness.

One of the most dangerous side effects is getting used to sedatives. It leads to the fact that the patient needs an increasing dose, and without medication he cannot sleep and constantly feels anxiety. But such an effect is observed mainly in those who do not follow the doctor’s recommendations and exceed the dosage of the medicine.

Folk sedatives

Various home-based, non-drug methods of treatment are also used for depression. They are especially effective in the initial stages of the disease. But even with prolonged depression, they can be used in conjunction with medications. The most famous folk sedatives are:

1. Drinks based on medicinal plants. You need to drink them like tea, and the patient should like them to taste. These include:

- a citrus elixir with a good relaxing effect; make it from freshly squeezed orange juice, which is poured on the crushed leaves of lemon balm;

- decoctions and infusions of St. John's wort, effective against depression;

- well calms chamomile tea, decoctions of mint or motherwort.

2. Relaxing baths can be taken every other day before bedtime. Water should not be hot, comfortable for the patient. Here are the common bath compositions:

- fresh twigs of pine, cones and needles boil well for 40 minutes, and then insist half a day; strained infusion is poured into the bath;

- baths with a decoction of ginger, lavender or rosemary are useful;

- well relax soda baths.

3. Listening to music can heal many from depression. Moreover, you can listen to both special works and favorites for the patient. Especially healing effect is the music of Mozart and other classical works. In addition, experts advise people with depression to sing more.

4. Aromatherapy is also very effective in treating depression. Favorite aroma, reaching the brain, has a relaxing and soothing effect. The most popular are the smells of jasmine, geranium, rose, chamomile and sandalwood.

How to take sedatives

Such medicines are used only as directed by your doctor. But even in this case, you need to know the features of the use of antidepressants and tranquilizers.

• You can not take them with violations in the liver, kidneys and heart.
• Most of these drugs are taken in long courses. It is necessary to strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations and make sure that the medication is taken without omissions and every day at the same time. It is especially important to gradually discontinue the drug, otherwise withdrawal symptoms may occur that are very unpleasant and often even more dangerous than the depression itself from which this medicine was prescribed.
• Some antidepressants can lead to thoughts of suicide, excessive aggression and hostility. Especially often, these drugs affect children under 18 years of age. At the first appearance of such symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
• Patients who need to be careful during the day, for example, due to the specifics of work or the need to drive a car, are better to take sedatives that do not cause drowsiness.
• When taking most antidepressants, you must refrain from drinking alcohol.
• No medicine can relieve a patient of a depressive disorder alone. Antidepressants only relieve some symptoms and help a person control their emotions. But you need to know that for a successful outcome of treatment you need to work on yourself, change your lifestyle and nutrition, and visit a psychotherapist.