Pandemic and Lockdown Made Bulgarians Seek Consolation in Antidepressants

The pandemic, lockdowns and the fear of the unknown have made the Bulgarians seek support in antidepressants and psychotropic drugs, shows a study by the National Center for Public Health Protection and Analysis - "Mental health aspects of the Covid-19 epidemic in Bulgaria".

The study compares data from the beginning of the pandemic with those from 2019.

The results show that the epidemic has sent up levels of anxiety among people, as well as aggression, auto-aggression and psycho-pathogenic traits in the mass media environment. The scientists analyzed data from sales of psychotropic drugs (benzodiazepines, antidepressants and phyto-preparations that have an effect on anxiety and depression).

There is a distinct trend towards increasing sales of such drugs in March, when the state of emergency was declared in Bulgaria due to Covid-19. The most are in the group of tranquilizers, which reduce anxiety at daily intake. For March 2020, the increase was 22.6% compared to March 2019.

The data show an apparently higher sale of Hydroxyzine, which is readily available. Sales go up to about 100,000 packs, which is 39.5% more than in March 2020 vs with March 2019. There is also a rise in medications, which are prescribed under special regimen - the so-called "green prescription". In March 2020, 24.6% more Clonazepam packs were sold compared to March 2019.

The study also reports significantly increased demand for antidepressants in the first three months of 2020. The increase is sharp, for January it is 2.4%, for February the growth is already 14.14%. The highest percentage of sales falls on March 2020 - 23.6%, compared to the same month of 2019.

In the study, a special place is also given to herbal preparations that have an anti...