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Are Anger, Unusual Anti-social Behavior And Depression Treatable While On Mirtazapine For Sleep?

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Posted on Tue, 11 Jan 2022
Question: My mother is 98, with a long list of conditions and medications. she was prescribed mirtazapine for sleep. She is showing anger, and unusually anti social behavior, and depression. Her only issue prior was that she had problems sleeping, the usual complaints about pain which is constant, and other issues with someone so elderly. Is this radical behavior change usual with this medication?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Very unlikely

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I understand your concerns regarding behaviour change in your mother.

Mirtazepine is unlikely to be the cause of behavioural change as it helps in depression and anger rather than causing it. The same is true for antisocial behaviour as no such association is known between anti social behaviour and use of mirtazapine.

Having said this there is one possibility which could explain behaviour change in elderly. In case she had existing cognitive impairment the use of sedative medication may further deterioration the cognitive profile which could cause behavioural change.

I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (22 minutes later)
her problem is that she does not sleep well. and we asked her doctor for something mild to help her sleep. mirtazapine seems to address depression and related issues, does it also work as a sleepaid?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it helps in sleep

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Mirtazapine is a well established antidepressant as well as sleep medication. The sleep effects are more pronounced at a lower dosage (up to 20 mg) while it works as antidepressant throughout the dose ranges.

I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3350 Questions

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Are Anger, Unusual Anti-social Behavior And Depression Treatable While On Mirtazapine For Sleep?

Brief Answer: Very unlikely Detailed Answer: Hello, I understand your concerns regarding behaviour change in your mother. Mirtazepine is unlikely to be the cause of behavioural change as it helps in depression and anger rather than causing it. The same is true for antisocial behaviour as no such association is known between anti social behaviour and use of mirtazapine. Having said this there is one possibility which could explain behaviour change in elderly. In case she had existing cognitive impairment the use of sedative medication may further deterioration the cognitive profile which could cause behavioural change. I hope this helps you. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions. Thanks and regards.