Antidepressant Demand in Russia Rises in Early 2022 and Its Explanations
In the first half of 2022, Russian sales of antidepressants surged by 66 percent compared with the same period a year earlier, rising from 3.6 million to 6 million units, according to data from TASS. The strongest demand appeared in Moscow, with notable activity in St. Petersburg and the Moscow region.
There was a similar spike during the first half of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic unsettled global life. Yet even then, the increase was smaller, around 57 percent, indicating a sharper current rise in need and concern.
Two factors are highlighted by psychiatrist and psychotherapist Pavel Beschastnov as potential drivers of growing antidepressant use. He notes that the period is emotionally charged, triggering anxiety and depressive states that contribute to overall mental unrest. He explained in an interview that when people confront events with strong emotional impact, the urge to seek professional help tends to rise regardless of political views. He stated that the world feels altered and that many individuals experience a heightened demand for psychiatric consultation because their feelings are deeply unsettled.
Another contributor is the regular disruption of supply for popular antidepressants and other medications. Because these drugs often require months or years of use, fears about future availability lead some patients to stockpile in anticipation of price changes or market withdrawal, which further fuels demand during shortages.
Anastasia Nikolaeva, a psychologist and researcher at Moscow State University, suggests that the rise in antidepressant demand relative to the pandemic period may reflect a greater sense of threat and a reduced sense of control over personal life. She points to the social and economic dynamics that shape mental health, noting that while the disease initially gave an illusion of protection through vaccines or immunity, the current climate presents more complex external pressures that affect society as a whole.
The current situation, Beschastnov adds, tends to be more troubling for people, translating into higher emotional volatility and concern. He observes that the pandemic was viewed by many in Russia as an exaggerated story, partly due to less restrictive measures at the time, so the current moment carries a heavier emotional load and a stronger sense of potential danger and empathy toward others.
For individuals who do not consider professional help necessary, there are strategies to support emotional well-being by focusing on controllable aspects of life—work, family, hobbies, and everyday concerns. Physical activity is also emphasized as a practical benefit to mood and energy levels.
Beschastnov emphasizes that most Russians are not directly affected by the upheavals in daily life, viewing these factors as external rather than personal threats. He encourages people to maintain balance by checking where their attention lies and to align their activities with what remains within reach in daily life, rather than dwelling on the news. He urges readers to accept what cannot be changed and to focus on agency where it exists.
Nikolaeva adds that the body is a biological mechanism that responds to movement. Regular activity can shift the hormonal balance in ways that improve emotional state. Simple practices like walking, engaging in sports, or pursuing a hobby such as needlework can offer a sense of control and a healthy distraction, delivering quick, tangible results.
However, it is important to view these recommendations as complementary to treatment when antidepressants are part of care. Medications can help improve mood, but they do not replace efforts to improve life overall. As Beschastnov notes, a pill does not make a person new, but it can help stabilize emotions enough to work on underlying issues more effectively.
Nikolaeva stresses the need for better medical and emotional literacy across society. A clearer understanding of how antidepressants interact with mental health can help avoid overestimating happiness pills and encourage informed, proactive approaches to emotional well-being.