Increase in Antidepressant Use
Between 1996 and 2005, antidepressant use doubled.
A few reasons for this might be:
• Antidepressants are safer than ever. With all the new types (most of which have fewer side-effects), doctors are more comfortable prescribing one of dozens of possible medications to people as young as 6. (Surprised that children can have depression? Check out my blog from earlier this week.)
• Antidepressants are being used to treat people with other health problems than merely depression. The drugs are often used for back pain, nerve pain, sleep problems, etc.
• Insurance issues. Writing prescriptions for doctors, and maybe even buying prescriptions for patients – is a bit easier on the wallet than alternative treatment. Doctors aren't accepting insurance as often because they aren't being reimbursed very much for proving therapy. Writing a prescription is quick and easy. (I'm sure the pharmaceutical industry supports this wholeheartedly).
• Ads for antidepressants has increased immensely ($32 mil to $133 mil during the study).
In addition, psychotherapy went down from 31.5% to less than 20%. Which, in my opinion, is bad news.
Some people thought that taking antidepressants could improve their relationships, improve their self-esteem, or relieve stress in their lives.
What do you think?
Are people getting the wrong idea about antidepressants and depression?
Is the increase actually a good sign that people are being more open about their depression?
Is this because more people have seen ads and are seeking help?
Do you think people are trying to profit off of others' unhappiness?
Are people looking for a quick fix?
Should primary care doctors be allowed to prescribe antidepressants?
Should they receive better psych training?
Will the number of people on antidepressants continue to increase? Should it?
A few reasons for this might be:
• Antidepressants are safer than ever. With all the new types (most of which have fewer side-effects), doctors are more comfortable prescribing one of dozens of possible medications to people as young as 6. (Surprised that children can have depression? Check out my blog from earlier this week.)
• Antidepressants are being used to treat people with other health problems than merely depression. The drugs are often used for back pain, nerve pain, sleep problems, etc.
• Insurance issues. Writing prescriptions for doctors, and maybe even buying prescriptions for patients – is a bit easier on the wallet than alternative treatment. Doctors aren't accepting insurance as often because they aren't being reimbursed very much for proving therapy. Writing a prescription is quick and easy. (I'm sure the pharmaceutical industry supports this wholeheartedly).
• Ads for antidepressants has increased immensely ($32 mil to $133 mil during the study).
In addition, psychotherapy went down from 31.5% to less than 20%. Which, in my opinion, is bad news.
Some people thought that taking antidepressants could improve their relationships, improve their self-esteem, or relieve stress in their lives.
What do you think?
Are people getting the wrong idea about antidepressants and depression?
Is the increase actually a good sign that people are being more open about their depression?
Is this because more people have seen ads and are seeking help?
Do you think people are trying to profit off of others' unhappiness?
Are people looking for a quick fix?
Should primary care doctors be allowed to prescribe antidepressants?
Should they receive better psych training?
Will the number of people on antidepressants continue to increase? Should it?
Tags: antidepressants, depression, health, medication, mental, prescriptions, psychiatry, psychology, studies, therapy
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John on -
Groundbreaking post, Amanda!
I think the increase in antidepressant use has to do with a number of things. I do believe that the increase in advertisements for antidepressants has helped the sales of these drugs because the overall sentiment of these ads is that being depressed is not uncommon, and that it's okay to seek help.
As far as drug companies are concerned, I think they are definitely trying to profit off of others' unhappiness. This isn't neccessarily a bad thing because they are in fact helping a lot of people. If people identify with the advertisements for antidepressants, then they probably could benefit from taking them.
Are people looking for a quick fix? YES. Who isn't? I know antidepressants take a few weeks to kick in, but if there was one that worked right away, there's no doubt everyone would be taking it. Doesn't everybody want a quick fix for their problems? I don't know anyone that would rather have a dragged out and delayed fix--even though that's how most antidepressants work...
Overall, I think the increase in antidepressant use is a great thing. Like you suggested, I think more people are becoming more comfortable talking about and seeking help for their depression. The presence of ads has certainly helped to lower the stigma about antidepressants. They are no longer just for "crazy people"--but for real people with real problems, as well.
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