Comparison of the Use of Hypnotic in Psychiatric Patients with Insomnia at the Mental Health Centre Prolet in Skopje

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a symptom complex that comprises difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep or non-refreshing sleep in combination with daytime dysfunction or distress. Most people experience insomnia at some time during their lives. Because of its high incidence, and also because its symptoms are usually mild and transient, the importance of insomnia is frequently underestimated. Various conditions are associated with insomnia and can contribute to its development. They can be related to neurological or psychiatric disorders, which in turn may be aggravated by a deficiency of restorative sleep and daytime fatigue.

AIM: In this study, the authors compare the hypnotically effect of Flurazepam and Zolpidem applied on psychiatric cases treated in the Mental Health Centre “Prolet†in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

METHODS: The investigation covers 45 patients who have insomnia, in addition to their primary mental illness. Тhe examination took six weeks, and it was divided into 3 equal phases. In the first phase of three weeks, Zolpidem was used, and in the third phases, Flurazepam was administrated. We used a self-estimating scale of 13 items and methods of global clinical estimation in the evaluation of received effects.

RESULTS: The results show that referring to the induction of the sleeping period, its duration and quality and the number of awakenings, there are no significant differences between the two medicaments used, but there was a significant difference between hypnotic medicaments and placebo.

CONCLUSION: The termination with the therapy, didn`t lead to the appearance of abstinential symptoms.