Doctors widely prescribe some antidepressants for people with anxiety. Examples include amitriptyline (Elavil), mirtazapine (Remeron), and trazodone (Desyrel). Melatonin-like medications: These medications mimic melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle and promotes sleep.
Mirtazapine and trazodone are two antidepressants that help patients fall asleep and improve their sleep architecture. However, mirtazapine's sedative effects are greater in the lower dose range (15 mg and below), which may not treat depression. Trazodone also has limitations.
There are a few different treatment options available for those with somniphobia, or sleep anxiety. These include exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and medications, such as benzodiazepines, beta blockers, and antidepressants.
Anxiety is frequently connected to sleeping problems. Excess worry and fear make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Sleep deprivation can worsen anxiety, spurring a negative cycle involving insomnia and anxiety disorders.
Z-drugs and benzodiazepines
Z-drugs like zolpidem (Ambien) and zaleplon (Sonata) are commonly prescribed to help you fall asleep, especially if you don't have chronic insomnia. They can be taken as needed and usually work within an hour. Benzodiazepines are another option.
Zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist)
A sedative-hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class, zolpidem has a rapid onset and short duration of action. It is a good first choice for treatment of sleep-onset insomnia and produces no significant residual sedation in the morning.
(See 'Our approach' above.) The benzodiazepine medications approved for insomnia treatment in the United States are estazolam, flurazepam, quazepam, temazepam, and triazolam (table 6). Among these, temazepam may have the best safety profile for use in insomnia.
Sleeping pills and minor tranquillisers are sedative medications. This means they slow down your body and brain's functions. For example, this may be your breathing, heartbeat and thought processes. These medications can be prescribed for severe anxiety or insomnia (difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep).
Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs that slow down the messages that travel between your brain and your body. Healthcare providers mainly prescribe them for anxiety disorders, insomnia and seizures. Examples of benzodiazepines include: Alprazolam (Xanax®).
Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and racing thoughts. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used. Antihistamines: Some over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), can have a sedating effect and may be used to help with sleep.
In addition, studies have shown that nefazodone, trazodone, or mirtazapine (Remeron) also can improve subjective sleep ratings compared with placebo, SSRIs, or TCAs in patients with depression.
In January 2022, the FDA approved Quviviq (daridorexant) to treat insomnia in adults. This medication can be helpful both for falling and staying asleep. Studies suggest it's both safe and effective.
Apart from hypnotics, more and more doctors are prescribing mild antidepressant drugs for sleep disorders. “The most common one is trazodone, which is considered quite safe and has a mild sedative effect,” Grandner says.
Some individuals find magnesium supplements to promote sleep, and a few studies have demonstrated a sleep benefit. Consult with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
These symptoms may include the following and occur at or during bedtime or when you anticipate going to sleep: physical: fast heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, nausea, shaking.
“Keep a boring book on your bed table,” Obolsky says. Also, create a restful routine. Prime your body for bed by doing the doing the same things every night. A restful routine that involves a warm bath, listening to music, or deep breathing can be especially helpful if you have insomnia, Edlund says.
Cortisol may be best known as the body's stress hormone, but it also plays a pivotal role in managing our sleep “architecture.” Studies of circadian rhythm — your 24-hour body clock — have shown that cortisol levels naturally begin to increase between 2 and 3 a.m. If you're already stressed or anxious, and your ...
Turn down your stress levels
Stress is also why you want to sleep but your brain won't stop talking to itself. That's because when the mind is under pressure, it releases a hormone called cortisol, which is also what the body uses to wake you up in the morning.
More often than not, it's a sign of stress. Your mind is on high alert, afraid to fall asleep in case you might forget something important. Something you're worried you 'should' be doing. However, sometimes it might be because you have some exciting plans or ideas you want to explore and execute.
Slow Your Breath, Slow Your Mind
Try this: Place a hand on your heart and feel its rhythm. Breathe in deep for 4 seconds, then take a long, slow breath out. Repeat this pattern until you can feel your heartbeat slow down. Your thoughts should soon ease up as well.
The antidepressants most widely prescribed for anxiety are SSRIs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa. SSRIs have been used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.