More mental health news: antidepressant use doubles
Earlier, I blogged about a report on children as young as 3 being diagnosed with depression. Well, another mental health study this week is sparking lots of discussion: the number of Americans taking antidepressants increased from about 6 percent in 1996 to 10 percent in 2005, or from 13 million to about 27 million people.
Meanwhile, the number of people being treated with antidepressants who also sought help from a therapist declined. Researchers think high out-of-pocket costs and insurance barriers could be to blame. The paper's lead researcher said he worries that patients who only receive medication may be not be getting enough help.
The study, of nearly 50,000 people, which appears in the latest issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, found the use increased in adults and children alike. Racial and ethnic minorities, however, were less likely to take antidepressants, an example of broader disparities in mental health treatment, researchers said.
The authors think the rise is likely due to a number of factors including: an increase in the incidence of major depression and more drugs flooding the market to treat it, campaigns promoting better mental health care and a lessening stigma attached to mental illness and antidepressants.
It's interesting that the increase took place even after the FDA issued a "black box" warning in 2004 on the use of antidepressants in children after some studies showed an increase in suicidal thoughts.
photo courtesy of the Associated Press.
Comments
The authors think--- the rise is likely due to a number of factors including: ... a lessening stigma attached to mental illness and antidepressants.
A lessening "stigma?" are there still professionals employing, imposing, that term? Editors? How strange.
Posted by: Harold A. Maio | August 6, 2009 3:57 PM
I would like to know the name of the researcher who thought that easy access to antidepressant may give the doctors and patients a false sense of security and therefore poor care. With the returning veterans suffering from PTSD the use of these drugs must have increased significantly. Just giving a name to these disorders PTSD or Postpartum Depression helps reduce the isolation and shame.
Posted by: joan mudd | August 6, 2009 11:07 PM
Many young minds are being destroyed by the use of pharmaceuticals instead of treating the child naturally with a change in diet of less soda, sugar and junk and more proper vitamins and minerals, sleep and exercise. Many kids have allergies that parents dont know about. My brother's boy was put on Ritalin for years and now he cant hold a decent job or do well enough in college to get one. Why? Because it is an easy solution for busy parents and because there is too much money being made on the part of the drug companies for things to change. That is why drug reps bring platters of food into doctor's offices to supply them with lunch. It wont change until lawmakers do something about it or until enough parents get educated about the problem and decide to fix more natural foods and supply proper nutrition and herbs, etc for their kids. Start making visits to your local health food store and start educating yourself if you dont already.
Posted by: Clay | August 8, 2009 11:46 AM
This pharmaceutical pills are destoying young students.
Posted by: Cpr certification online | August 18, 2009 5:26 AM
These drugs are becoming more and more handed out without the proper follow up with a therapist or psychiatrist.
These were made mostly to be used in connection with proper personal care.
Posted by: La Paz Baja | January 16, 2010 5:55 PM