In order to treat mental diseases, medications that belong to the category of sedatives and depressants are actively used in medical practice. These specific drugs are prescribed because of their ability to reduce the symptoms of various mental illnesses due to slowing the brain function and decreasing anxiety. The group of sedatives/depressants covers medications including benzodiazepines and barbiturates, as well as non-benzodiazepine sedatives. Those individuals who are diagnosed with a mental disease may be prescribed to take sedatives/depressants because they affect the brain function, stabilise mood, and help to overcome the symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia.
The facts that sedatives/depressants can be easily overused and they can provoke addiction in a short term allow for discussing the advantages and disadvantages of taking these drugs when having a mental health problem. The pros of taking sedatives/depressants are numerous, and these medications are among the most prescribed drugs in Western countries. The advantages include comparably quick and prolonged effects on a patient’s mood, behaviour, and the overall state. When taking sedatives/depressants regularly, according to the prescription, it is possible to decrease symptoms of a mental illness or eliminate them for a certain period of time. Positive outcomes associated with using sedatives/depressants include decreased headaches, slowed brain functioning, decreased alertness, anxiety and stress symptoms, the absence of insomnia, the stable mood, and relaxation. Thus, sedatives/depressants are popular choices for prescribing in order to achieve these outcomes and expected effects on patients.
However, in spite of the presence of obvious positive effects for the health of individuals with mental illnesses, it is important to note that sedatives/depressants are often viewed as harmful. The reason is that these medications may cause addiction when consumed inappropriately. In addition, the problem is that tolerance to different types of sedatives/depressants develops rather quickly, and patients need to increase doses in order to achieve therapeutic effects. As a result, the risks of developing addiction also grow, along with threats of overdosing and even death. It is also important to note that sedatives/depressants have many side effects, such as dizziness, the loss of coordination, chronic fatigue, and nausea. When these drugs are taken for a long period of time and doses are high, they also provoke insomnia, rapid mood changes, aggressiveness, panic, breathing difficulties and hallucinations, among others. The high rate of side effects occurrence makes healthcare providers pay much attention to educating patients on how to take sedatives or depressants to treat a mental health problem.
Furthermore, much attention should be paid to the specifics of consuming sedatives/depressants in combination with other medications. When consumed along with other drugs, sedatives/depressants cause side effects more frequently, and the overall risk of overdosing sedatives also increases for patients. Moreover, individuals with mental illnesses should remember that the consumption of sedatives/depressants along with alcohol is also prohibited because of harmful effects on a patient’s health and possibilities of complications.
The analysis of the specifics of taking sedatives/depressants to cope with mental illnesses indicates that these medications can effectively treat depression, anxiety and insomnia among other mental disorders. The reason is that these drugs affect the brain function, they can stabilise a patient’s mood and decrease symptoms. However, the focus on potential side effects and the cons of using sedatives/depressants is also important because these drugs provoke addiction in many cases, and risks of developing undesirable negative symptoms are high.