Question

A 35-year-old male with a history of depression started experiencing seizures and insomnia. Which one of the following drugs could help overcome these symptoms?

• A. LSD
• B. Amphetamines
• C. Benzodiazepines
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is C Benzodiazepines

Certain synthetic drugs were made to treat various mental disorders like depression, anxiety, panic and even sleep disorders like insomnia. Some of these are

• Amphetamines: used to improve brain development and nerve growth in children with attention and behavioral disorders, narcolepsy (a sleep disorder causing excessive and irresistible daytime sleep), depression and compulsive disorders. Although they have medical benefits, over consumption can lead to serious health problems.

• Benzodiazepines: These belong to a class of tranquilizers, drugs that are used to treat insomnia, anxiety, seizure control. Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.

• LSD stands for lysergic acid diethylamide, a potent hallucinogen which was used to treat anxiety and depression. However eventually this was discontinued due to its highly addictive nature and setting in of psychosis in continuous use. Psychosis refers to disruptive symptoms of many psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, neurologic, and medical conditions.

For a patient experiencing seizures, insomnia (sleep disorder) and battling depression, benzodiazepines can help. However, these need to be taken as per the instruction of a certified medical practitioner, in their supervision along with other necessary steps.