War's hidden toll: antidepressants surge in Russia as conflict drags on
TL;DR Summary
Russia is experiencing a sharp rise in antidepressant use amid the ongoing war with Ukraine and economic strain, with 2025 sales totaling about 22.3–23.5 million packages—roughly a 36% rise from 2024 and well above pre-pandemic levels—as the pharmaceutical market grows to around $273 million; experts warn antidepressants are sometimes overused and advocate psychotherapy as a first line of treatment, highlighting the war’s broad emotional toll on daily life.
- War sends Russia into a spiral of antidepressants EL PAÍS English
- Russians load up on antidepressants after four years of war The Telegraph
- While Russians Are Increasingly Using Antidepressants, No ‘Prozac Culture’ Has Developed Russia.Post
- Russian economic strife laid bare as antidepressant sales double amid Ukraine war Daily Express US
- Putin humiliated as antidepressant sales in Russia soar to record £200m Daily Express
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