Understanding sleep
From the book – Chapter 15: Medicines and Medical Treatment
Sleep
Sedative antidepressants in low dose (trazodone, mirtazapine). Z-drugs (zolpidem, zopiclone) — short-term; risk of dependence. Melatonin — sleep-wake regulation in certain cases under medical advice. Sleep medicines should generally be short-term while underlying causes are addressed.
Read the full chapter – Chapter 15: Medicines and Medical Treatment
Stories from real life
- Day Ten of the Little White Tablet – Sunita, 38, a teacher in Jaipur, began a prescribed medicine for depression ten days ago. She feels slightly nauseous and sleepy, and nothing seems better yet.…
- Neha Asks About the Baby – Neha, 31, has lived with bipolar disorder for eight years, steadied by a regular medicine and her doctor's plan. She and her husband Rishi are hoping…
- The Boy Who Could Finally Finish His Homework – Aarav, 9, in Bengaluru, cannot sit still. He loses his books, interrupts, and his homework takes three hours of tears. His teacher says he is bright…
- Mr Fernandes and the Sleeping Strip – Mr Fernandes, 74, a retired clerk in Goa, has taken a sleeping tablet every night for years, first prescribed after his wife died. Lately he has…
Shloks
- Bhagavad Gita 2.47 – Your claim is to action alone, never to its fruits. Do not make the fruit the motive, and do not cling to inaction.
More on this topic: Counselling, therapy and psychiatric medicines explained
More questions
- How they work, side effects, special groups?
- Common concerns – how they work, side effects, special groups
- Special populations – how they work, side effects, special groups
- Common myths about mental health medicines
- Understanding working with your doctor – mental health medicines
- When hospital treatment is needed?
- Understanding stopping medicines safely – mental health medicines
- Understanding overdose and emergencies – mental health medicines
- Understanding evidence and honesty – mental health medicines
- Understanding alternatives and add-ons – mental health medicines
- What happens in counselling or therapy?
- Myths and facts about mental health medicines