Source: <https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-sleep/>

# 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/chapter/15/)

## Stories from real life

- [Day Ten of the Little White Tablet](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/day-ten-of-the-little-white-tablet-59/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/neha-asks-about-the-baby-60/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-boy-who-could-finally-finish-his-homework-61/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/mr-fernandes-and-the-sleeping-strip-62/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/shloka/bhagavad-gita-2-47-24/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/topic/therapy-medicines/)

## More questions

- [How they work, side effects, special groups?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/how-they-work-side-effects-special-groups/)
- [Common concerns – how they work, side effects, special groups](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/common-concerns-how-they-work-side-effects-special-groups/)
- [Special populations – how they work, side effects, special groups](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/special-populations-how-they-work-side-effects-special-groups/)
- [Common myths about mental health medicines](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/common-myths-about-mental-health-medicines/)
- [Understanding working with your doctor – mental health medicines](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-working-with-your-doctor-mental-health-medicines/)
- [When hospital treatment is needed?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/when-hospital-treatment-is-needed/)
- [Understanding stopping medicines safely – mental health medicines](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-stopping-medicines-safely-mental-health-medicines/)
- [Understanding overdose and emergencies – mental health medicines](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-overdose-and-emergencies-mental-health-medicines/)
- [Understanding evidence and honesty – mental health medicines](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-evidence-and-honesty-mental-health-medicines/)
- [Understanding alternatives and add-ons – mental health medicines](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-alternatives-and-add-ons-mental-health-medicines/)
- [What happens in counselling or therapy?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-happens-in-therapy/)
- [Myths and facts about mental health medicines](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/myths-about-mental-health-medicines/)

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*Psychology for Everyone – A Mental Well Being Series* by Satish Zope · free to read · Contact: [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/)
