How to overcome difficulty sleeping and hallucinations due to antidepressants?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 24 years old. I have had depression for the past 13 years and am taking tablet Sertraline 200 mg daily for anxiety and depression. Previously, I have taken tablet Escitalopram 50 mg but was advised to discontinue due to severe side effects. For the past few months, I have had difficulty sleeping and auditory and visionary hallucinations. I feel like I am going crazy. Unfortunately, I have a psychiatrist appointment only after a month. Is there anything I can do to help myself in the meantime?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern and would be happy to help. I hope you are taking the tablets only in the morning. I suggest you to use tablet Melatonin 5 mg, L-theanine 100 mg or 200 mg supplements, or tablet Zolpidem 5 mg or 10 mg. Consult a specialist doctor, talk to them, and start the medicines with their consent. Few sleep hygiene measures that you can follow include: Maintain a suitable room temperature with no noise or light. Wind up your activities one hour before sleep and try reading or listening to music. Avoid using a laptop, phone, or television one hour before sleep. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco two hours before sleeping. Avoid exercise three hours before sleeping. Drink warm milk at bedtime. Go to bed only when you feel sleepy and avoid other activities in bed. Use the bed only for sleeping or sex. If you do not get sleep, do not toss and turn; get up, go into another room, walk for about 10 to 15 minutes, come back and lie down. Try deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation techniques, yoga, or meditation.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.