In the first half of 2022, Russians bought 66% more antidepressants than in the same period in 2021 – sales rose from 3.6 million to 6 million, informs TASS. The biggest demand is in Moscow, St. It was seen in St. Petersburg and the Moscow region.
Significant increase in antidepressant sales in Russia it happened and in the first half of 2020, when the world was taken over by the COVID-19 pandemic – but even then, the increase in demand was lower than now – about 57% quantitatively.
Psychiatrist, psychotherapist Pavel Beschastnov explained in an interview with socialbites.ca that two factors can increase demand.
“It is very difficult to go through all these events. Anxiety and depressive states return general mental turmoil because they are very emotionally charged events.
Whatever the political opinion of a person, in any case, something happens that will not leave anyone indifferent. “It is a fateful thing, the world will never be the same again,” he said. “People are more actively turning to psychiatrists, more requests have arisen, a large number of people are so emotionally disturbed that it becomes a reason to consult a specialist.”
In addition, popular antidepressants and other drugs periodically experience supply disruptions, which adds to the hype: antidepressants are taken for months and sometimes years, and people who fear the drug won’t return to the market are stockpiled for future use.
Anastasia Nikolaeva, a psychologist and researcher at Moscow State University, says that the increase in antidepressant demand compared to the pandemic period may be due to a greater sense of danger, as well as a loss of control over one’s own life. Psychology and Education.
“During the pandemic, it seemed to people that the disease might not affect them, that vaccines and strong immunity would protect them. There was the illusion of control then, but not now. We are now dealing with social processes that affect the entire society. People can influence their health, but they cannot influence foreign policy. The pandemic was a frightening new experience for people who needed help, including medication. Now people have not yet fully recovered from this injury, but have encountered a new one, the cumulative effect worked, ”said socialbites.ca.
“The current situation is much sadder and worries people much more,” Beschastnov said. – And, accordingly, there is more emotional instability – people are worried, worried. The pandemic was perceived as a kind of exaggerated story in Russia, we did not have strict quarantines like in many other countries, so everything was tolerated with less pain. The current situation concerns everyone, we’re talking about a much higher level of emotional commitment here. And the sense of potential threat, the sense of empathy, is also much stronger.”
If the situation does not seem severe enough to consult a psychiatrist, you can try to heal the emotional background on your own by focusing on factors that you can influence in your own life – work, family, hobbies, everyday worries. Also, do not forget about physical activity.
“Fortunately, however frightening the events may be, they do not directly affect the lives of most Russians,” explains Beschastnov. – In general, this is an external factor that does not directly affect everyone. Your life, family, work, current interests – look around if you stray from what’s available in the news, information space – for the majority, nothing has changed significantly.
You must do your best and not try to change what is beyond your control.”
“Our body is a biological mechanism, it needs movement,” adds Nikolaeva. – When motor activity changes the hormonal background, and this helps, it has a positive effect on the emotional state. Physical activity, active walks will help support the spirit. This is top notch advice. In addition to sports, it is good to have a hobby related to needlework. Firstly, it gives a sense of control over the situation, and secondly, it allows you to change your attention, to immerse yourself in some kind of activity. And get instant results.”
However, all these recommendations should be followed when taking antidepressants – drugs can improve the emotional background, but you should not entrust them with the solution of all your problems, you still need to improve your life on your own.
“Not a single tablet will think for you, live life,” says Beschastnov. – In that sense, an antidepressant doesn’t make you another. But to equalize the emotional background, to make a person, albeit artificially, but calmer, literally phlegmatic – this is exactly what drugs can cope with. It may help to give yourself this period of chemical drowsiness and work through other issues in the meantime. It’s much easier to deal with yourself and your life when you’re not bobbing back and forth on an emotional swing. That’s why psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants.”
“Our society as a whole has low levels of medical and emotional literacy. If you better understand how antidepressants work, how the emotional sphere works, there will be no illusions about happiness pills. We all need to be more aware of our emotions,” says Nikolaeva.