Best medication for depression that doesn't interfere with sleep?

myacct123
That is a very tough question to answer, depending on your symptoms, other medical conditions, other medication, etc….

The question is best answered by your provider, but below are two web sites that talk about the different types. Each talk about the different types and some of the side effects.

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273
2. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/antidepressant-medications

Having had long and many bouts of major clinical depressive episodes throughout my life (now almost 76 yrs of age), I was prescribed quite a few antidepressants (and attempts to find help via cognitive therapy). From my experiences, what I can say to you is that you must consider that you are UNIQUELY YOU, and what works for one person without nasty side effects may not be an advisable journey for another. In search of relief/control, I was prescribed several antidepressants over a period of about 25 years. I unfortunately was unable to tolerate any of the myriad and often frightening effects that threatened me more than the condition they were supposed to help with. And the arduous journey of weaning (with assistance from a trusted, knowledgeable neurologist) from each did seriously drain me, not just psychologically but also physically and emotionally. I do NOT agree with people who decide to attempt dropping a medication on their own. So many potentially harmful problems, in some cases even death from major heart effects. And I don't offer advise on tapering/weaning either. That should be attempted under the guidance of a medical professional.

With that being said, if you are considering antidepressant therapy, I recommend that you keep a detailed journal with entries for each drug. Important to document the side effects, etc., since that journal will prove highly important when conversing with your doctor(s). Be meticulous: name of medication, date started, dosing, notations of effects (including dry mouth or tongue burning, sense of over sedation, etc.). Then also document what doctor(s) recommended/adjustment of dosing, etc. Also include detailed schedule for weaning before commencing another prescribed med. Sounds tedious, time consuming? Yes, it is, but so very important. You may be given a few different drug (over time), and you want to keep track of each and every one that you take. It's your life, your health. And you are the most important component within that doctor-patient relationship.
Paxil is just one of the copious antidepressants that were initially prescribed to me. I refused Prozac altogether, but Serzone, Effexor XR, Zoloft are in my history. Each one has its own story of how every aspect of my life was affected, and not in a positive manner. I have not taken an antipressant in way over a decade, since my struggles with ditching Effexor followed by Zoloft. I was encouraged to take Cymbalta and also Lyrica, and I emphatically refused each. Again I say: EACH PERSON IS UNIQUE. Evidently, my system was unable to tolerate the medications, and instead inflicted horrid issues. From what I've read here on this site, numerous members have experienced serious problems as well, while sometimes I've read of people who have obtained substantial relief from their particular medication. YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR MUST WORK TOGETHER.

I struggle with depression on a daily basis, exacerbated by quite a few deeply painful life experiences and health issues. I was just recently hit with one more that will take me on yet one more difficult journey. For me, there has not been a "magic pill." I wish there was, but wishing can not make it happen. I immerse myself in my writing, creating GF recipes, and extending myself to my adult children, grandchildren (4), and my husband of almost 53 years. And I pray, for that brings an element of spiritual comfort. But when I need to, I allow myself the release of crying. It does create a sense of release and relief. And then I move on.

I hope you can obtain a medication that works for you. But I do strongly urge you to keep a journal.
I wish you success.

@delia74

Great idea of keeping a journal / notes on what anti-depressions you try. I wish I had done that years ago.
I have had providers ask those questions and can not remember.

@delia74 -
Hello, I experienced a medical trauma. I never knew how powerful this could be. I suffer severe brain fog.

How are you able to tell if the brain fog is from depression or the preoccupation with physical issues/feelings?

I'm so sorry that you had a medical trauma, and are dealing with severe brain fog.
Have any of the doctors (particularly the neurologist) offered any reasons(s) for the condition?

I don't experience it all the time, but when I do, it is indeed difficult to deal with. Definitely can't focus, can't concentrate, and comprehension is also affected. Makes me feel frustrated, tired, and even upset. I can read a short paragraph and then have to re-read it because I just can't seem to answer my question of "So what does this material even mean?" Same with directions on a recipe, even one that I've used before. I've taken to typing recipe instructions in large print (font size 14 of Baskerville or Avenir), and break down the steps, so they show one per step. (Print outs are then placed into page protectors and then into a binder.) I reword the directions also, so that it is VERY simply worded, all excess deleted. I have all ingredients listed together as what makes most sense to me (I've been baking for 52 yrs so I'm comfortable changing things around this way). All dry ingredients together (including spices, etc); all liquids together; clearly list the others as needed within the process itself. I also list tools, etc. And I have whatever pans/sheets are needed with each prepped to my specifications (I love lining with parchment slings -- makes everything so less taxing).
Our 16 yr old grandson loves using my recipes. He's an aspiring chef and says that grandma's methods are what he finds makes for best organization for baking/cooking. He breaks down a recipe that he finds in a book/magazine in the same manner.
Anyway, I wanted to explain how I cope with brain fog in the kitchen. I list steps/ingredients, etc the same way for meal prep/cooking. And I do NOT encourage company in my kitchen because I have other issues that make it impossible to have someone chattering and interrupting my already "compromised" and foggy brain😁. I really need to concentrate.

For daily living, I learned to use post it notes a long time ago. Without those reminders, life can be so stressful and full of anxiety (more than I already cope with). I write ALL appointments along with contact info onto my Google Calendar, along with at least 3 "reminders" scheduled to be sent to me, inclusive of one on the very date of the scheduled appointment. Grocery lists: Learn to write down items according to where you'd find them in the store. I put all produce together; meats together; same with dairy and frozen foods. I go into the store prepared to aim straight to those areas only. So less stressful! In and out in almost no time b/c I go when stores are less crowded.
Medications: Buy two pill organizers of different colors. One is for my morning and the other for evening pills/supplements. Plan on re-filling them on a time of the day that you are most alert because I've found that manufacturers have taken to changing the color or shape that I've gotten used to! AAAaagh! These organizers will help keep you on track with meds.
I have other suggestions for what has helped me tremendously. Let me know if you wish to have them.

On days that I most most foggy, I don't even leave the house. I don't do much in the house either, instead taking it easy, a short nap if I need it (I don't sleep well at night), find a chic-flick on TV and indulge myself. My hubby understands and gives me free-clearance, finding stuff to do that he enjoys.

You bring up the issue of depression: Yes, that has been with me just about my entire life. I cannot take antidepressants, but I have not noticed a connection between times that I'm especially depressed and brain fog. Depressive periods affect me differently.

I urge you to have your neurologist explain and guide you regarding your rightful concerns.
Please let me know how that goes.
Receive a virtual hug of compassion and caring from someone who does understand.🤗💖😊

@delia74

Thank you for your details.
I never experienced brain fog until after a sinus surgery. One can say that sinus inflammation causes brain fog ongoing like this. And also causes anxiety:depression.

Never had one medical mental/physical issue until a sinus procedure. Neuros want to say migraine, ENTs want to say sinusitis. So all together they cause me anxiety and depression with their conflicting info.

Ultimately the medical community caused me brain fog and depression.

I so appreciate your humor!😁 But I do commiserate with your situation.
I've had sinus issues for years...CAT scans, etc. have not revealed sinus cavity problems except that I do have a deviated septum (but that was revealed to me decades ago). The last ENT that I went to 5 yrs ago was CHOSEN due to his outstanding credentials and because his bio emphasized his extensive research and published work on anything and everything related to sinuses! I was so excited, thinking that finally I'd get release from the nastiness that my sinuses caused. But no. After intrusive (and painful) instruments were used (the deviation "was in the way"), he announced there was nothing wrong, so he ordered a CAT scan. Again told me that nothing showed on the scans. "But I can send you to a surgeon," he offered. Seriously? A surgeon when there was NOTHING wrong?? I left. It's been 5 yrs since that wasted experience and the problems exist. Actually, the problem became scary back in March when I had 4 episodes of sudden, heavy nosebleeds (and trips to 3 different hospitals and a surgical otolaryngologist who cauterized within the left nostril to stop the bleeding). As I write this, I've been sniffling and experience the usual sinus stuff.... But I have not had brain fog from the condition.
I know all too well how overwhelming it can be to have health issues that doctors can't explain, can't provide means of relief. Worse yet, can't promise that there is a cure. I'm going through all of that now. So yes, the wishy-washiness of your doctors' ping-ponged responses definitely affect you in the manner that you've explained.

I'll offer you what has helped bring some relief, advice given by two of the specialists that attended to me back in March: Maintain a cool mist humidifier in your room at night. We bought one for the family room also since it is adjacent to my office. It's important to keep sinus cavities from drying out. I don't run the one in the family room all day, just for periods of time. We also have air purifiers: one in the bedroom, and two on the first floor of the house. The air smells differently (fresher, sweeter) since incorporating the purifiers. Highly recommend BlueAir 411. Size needed depends on dimensions of the area in which it will be placed. The cool mist humidifier brand: Midea SC350. I use Ayr Saline Nasal Spray as needed. And I aim to stay hydrated. Warm compresses over the eyes and sinus areas are so comforting. Avoid having air (from AC vents in car or fans in house) blow on your face. I've not had nose bleeds since that awful month of March, thank goodness. And we still wear masks (being in mid seventies and coping with autoimmune disorders requires not taking chances).
I hope you can find relief. Dealing with "unknowns" is definitely mentally and physically taxing.🌺

@delia74-

Thank you for your kindful reply.

I was 38 at the time when this all occurred. Zero issues until ENT wrongly diagnosed me. I now can’t tell what causes more pain, the emotion from the experience or the actual physical experience. I know emotion/physical can not be separated.

I have been tossed around, told I could have a second surgery etc… hard to opt for a second surgery to possibly correct what should have never been done in the first place.

Fear is the opposite of Love. So it has been very challenging to feel anything of love and fun.

Doctors do not know have they can possibly affect someone by acting overly confident in something that is not always the issue or a problem.

Since you rightly say there's no separation between the physical and mental, I hope you are able to take care of yourself in areas you still can do...this is how I make sure to live my life that has begin to get issues of old age, being 80. Indeed it becomes even More important when some other problem creeps us in us, physical Or mental. Our beings are complex and unless I had an accident and broke my arm, I'd not know what needs fixing most; most other things are not that simple: When I was hit a year ago by a car which slowly started to move while I was still crossing the road, I was able to fall rolling my body with just a bruise. It was Not the fault of the driver but of the Sun which was in his line of sight. Could I have end up with more serious consequences if I was not in reasonably good shape? Very likely. So let's do our part that we still can...and leave the rest to the universe, as I tell myself. wholesome food, exercises that make body limber and strong in strength and stamina help with good sleep too. And I hope you have a few friends to share your fears and funny streaks in life. I look for them at every opportunity. They are Healing because they offer what no other human connection -- coworkers, family neighbors provide.
Good luck!