Mirtazapine: Restoring sleep and appetite to normal, restoring balance in life

" I haven't slept well for three months ..."

Xiaoya (pseudonym) is a 32- year-old working woman. In recent months, her life has been completely trapped by insomnia and loss of appetite. She tossed and turned every night. She was obviously very tired, but she could not fall asleep . She could only fall asleep at three or four in the morning, and had to force herself to get up and go to work in the morning. During the day, she was in a trance, had difficulty concentrating, and her work efficiency was getting lower and lower. She even lost her patience in communicating with colleagues and family members.

To make matters worse, her appetite became very poor. She could only eat a few bites of her favorite curry rice. She either relied on coffee to stay awake or endured the discomfort in her stomach. She lost 5 kilograms in just three months. Looking at her increasingly haggard face, Xiaoya realized that her body was warning her that she might be suffering from depression .

 

Why does depression affect sleep and appetite?

📌 Depression not only affects your mood, it can also cause physical changes .

The brains of people with depression often have insufficient levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine . These neurotransmitters are not only involved in mood regulation, but also control sleep and appetite . When serotonin levels are low, people may experience:

✅ Difficulty falling asleep and being unable to relax even when tired

✅ Light sleep , easy to wake up, unable to fall asleep again after waking up early in the morning

✅ Loss of appetite , loss of appeal of food, or even nausea when eating

Studies have shown that approximately 90% of patients with severe depression have sleep disorders , and more than 70% of these patients have a significant decrease in appetite ( Suh et al., 2013 ). These physiological problems not only aggravate the symptoms of depression, but may also lead to malnutrition, decreased immunity, and even increased anxiety and negative emotions, forming a vicious cycle .

 

Mirtazapine: an antidepressant specifically targeting insomnia and decreased appetite

Mirtazapine (Lifrox) is a tetracyclic antidepressant ( TeCA) specifically used to improve sleep disorders and decreased appetite caused by depression . Its unique mechanism of action is different from that of traditional SSRIs (such as escitalopram and Zoloft), and can relieve insomnia and decreased appetite more quickly.

📌 The core effects of mirtazapine :

✅ Promote deep sleep and improve sleep quality (non-sedative, non-addictive)

✅ Increase appetite and help restore weight (suitable for patients who have lost weight due to depression)

✅ Anti-anxiety, reduce psychological stress (suitable for patients with anxiety and depression)

Mirtazapine vs. other antidepressants

Drug Name	Mechanism of action	Effects on sleep	Effects on appetite
Escitalopram	SSRIs , which increase serotonin	May affect sleep	Less impact
Duloxetine	SNRIs , which increase serotonin and norepinephrine	May cause insomnia	May slightly reduce appetite
Mirtazapine	TeCA , increases serotonin and norepinephrine	Significantly improve sleep	Increase appetite and improve weight

 

Research evidence: clinical efficacy of mirtazapine

Several studies have shown that mirtazapine can effectively improve sleep and appetite problems in depression :

✅ Mirtazapine can increase deep sleep time by 35% and improve insomnia ( Winokur et al., 2018 ).

✅ After 4 weeks of treatment, 80% of patients regained normal appetite ( Watanabe et al., 2011 ).

✅ Compared with SSRI (such as paroxetine), mirtazapine is more effective in improving sleep and is more suitable for depressed patients suffering from insomnia and decreased appetite ( Suh et al., 2013 ).

 

How to take mirtazapine correctly? ( It is recommended to consult a professional doctor first and then use the medicine scientifically!)

📌 How to take mirtazapine :

✅ Recommended dose: Usually starts with 15 mg and gradually adjusted to 30 mg/ day (please follow your doctor's advice for the specific dose).

✅ Best time to take the medicine: It is recommended to take it before bedtime , which can help improve the problem of difficulty falling asleep.

✅ Avoid sudden discontinuation of medication and gradually reduce the dosage under the guidance of a doctor.

📌 Common side effects and solutions :

•       Drowsiness (may be more obvious in the first few days, but usually adapt within 1-2 weeks) → It is recommended to take it at night to avoid affecting your mental state during the day.

•       Weight gain → Adjust your diet appropriately and avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods.

•       Dry mouth → Increase water intake or chew sugar-free gum to relieve it.

 

Real case sharing: Xiaoya’s road to recovery

After taking mirtazapine for 2 weeks , Xiaoya's sleep time increased from 4 hours a day to 7 hours , and she no longer felt tired when she woke up. Her appetite also gradually recovered, she was able to eat normally, and she regained 2 kg in weight within a month .

“ I felt like I could never get over my depression, but now I finally feel like I have control over my life again. ” Xiaoya said.

💡 Scientific treatment + adjustment of lifestyle habits make the road to recovery from depression smoother!

 

Mirtazapine can help you regain healthy sleep and appetite

📌 If your depression is accompanied by severe insomnia and decreased appetite, mirtazapine may be the best choice for you!

✅ Improve sleep , reduce nighttime awakenings, and improve sleep quality

✅ Restore appetite and help return weight to a healthy range

✅ Relieve anxiety and regain balance in your life

If you experience insomnia or loss of appetite during the treatment of depression, it is recommended to consult a professional doctor to evaluate whether mirtazapine is suitable for you!

💡 Scientific medication + healthy living will help you gradually get out of depression and regain normal life!

 

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