Are to many Americans on antidrpressants?
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
How many Americans are taking antidepressant drugs these days, 10, 20, or 30 million? If you said 30 million, you’re right. It’s more like 27 million, but that’s close enough. And if conditions in America remain unchanged, or get worse, with respect to the economy, health-care, and general lack of opportunities, we may see that number increase.
According to the Archives of General Psychiatry, between the years 1996 and 2005 the number of prescriptions written for antidepressant medication has increased substantially. In 2008, 164 million prescriptions were doled out for antidepressant medications, and have become the most widely prescribed class of drugs in the U.S.
A problem may lie, however, in the people taking this type of medication due to the factors it is being prescribed for, depression. Are these people more likely to subscribe to poly-drug abuse because of the nature of their psychological problems? How many of them are also taking medications that are addictive? They are, after all, more susceptible to drug abuse.
The perception in America that more is better probably has influenced many people to take medication outside of the physician’s dosing instructions. Maybe if I take a Wellbutrin, and a couple of Xanax, my depression, and anxiety will be knocked down a few notches. Because let’s face it, if I didn’t have all this anxiety, I wouldn’t be depressed. That may be an oversimplification of the problem, but nevertheless, I think you get the picture.
With the way the economy has tanked over the past year or so, is it any wonder why physician’s pens have flames shooting off of them? It’s because of all the heat generated by filling out so many prescriptions for antidepressant drugs. There are probably grooves in the sidewalks leading up to the physicians’ offices from the hordes of people seeking help for their mental health problems.
However, many of these people benefit from this medication, and by no means should it be knocked around, but 30 million people out of 300 million residing in the U.S taking it? That is a lot of people. How many will turn into full-blown addicts each year? Suspect it to be a number that is unacceptable, and adding to the already epidemic proportions of those abusing prescription drugs. Please see video below about dangers of antidepressants.
If you live in the metro Detroit area, and need help with a drug problem, you can access links on this page for assistance, either from PACE, CARE, or SEMCA.
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This information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Consult with a physician for any physical, or mental health problem you may have.
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Antidepressants causing harm
Comments
Wow...27 million people. That's depressing in itself. Thanks for bringing this information to others, Michael. Perhaps people will realize the importance of taking care of themselves from a prevention and wellness perspective.
And to think that a lot of these are patients that DEMAND to be placed on antidepressants because they lack other coping skills and/or their providers don't have the time to also counsel them on how to deal.
Any correlation between the declining number of smokers and the increase in people reporting depression?
As the first of your commenters who actually takes an anti-depressant I want to clear up a couple of things. If MD's are prescribing these meds to people who could just chill a bit and figure things out then shame on them. If on top of that they are writing scripts for anti-anxiety without doing the right due diligence about the need for them then shame on them again. Correctly prescribed there are blood tests necessary and in-person MD visits every 4-6 weeks. If patients don't show up the meds should expire. I have tried to get through bouts of depression for decades and only after put on meds was I able to function well enough to succeed at a profession and a personal life. I am no longer taking anxiety meds since I don't need them after being evened out by Wellbutrin. I am at no greater risk of abusing drugs than any other person. Because of the increase in people taking them I am afraid folks will forget about those of us truly in need. Please don't be glib about it all.
Physicians are "pushed" to use antidepressants, especially with so many new ones in the last decade. That's not bad, but there has been some concern in the medical community that medications are usurping other mental health therapies, and that may be not so good.
Pam:
My article was not meant to be an affront to those who really need this medication. It was not meant as an attack against you or any other person suffering from depression. I have suffered from it myself, and a lot worse than you might imagine due to my lifestyle. If you took my article as "glib" than you missed my point.
Dear Pam:
You must have missed the sentence where I said: "However, many of these people benefit from this medication, and by no means should it be knocked around..." I was speaking of people just like you who really benefit from this medication. If you feel like I was attacking you, then I apologize. That was not my intent.
pretty cool flamin the legal dope pushers
Thank you for highlighting this issue. The doctor tried to put my teen on anti-depressants because of the little 'survey' they have you fill out. When will they Stop trying to drug everyone? I feel many of the patients could be helped much more by changing their lifestyle. 27 million people can't be 'imbalanced', it isn't about a quick fix, it's called dealing with life better. Some people may truly Need help, I don't believe that will ever come in the form of a pill.
I have been on both sides of this fence. Most Rx's are not necessary. Lifestyle has a LOT to do with depression. A surgery, where one has to take pain meds causes depression. Inactivity will cause depression. Not working or volunteering your time to help others will cause depression. Losing a loved one will cause depression. Having an AWESOME vacation....an "up" time, will cause depression when it is over. Having a child will cause depression. I suggest that people REALLY AND TRULY RESEARCH every aspect of life and things and how to deal with certain issues BEFORE trusting a doctor. And YES I have BEEN THERE! I was placed on antidepressants after major surgery....the *#$$ pain meds CAUSE depression when you abruptly come off of them! Did a doctor TELL me that? NO because they didn't know! If I had "waited" it out for about 10-14 days, I would have been fine. (I find this out years later, you see.) GET UP! GET OUT! YOU CAN DO IT without meds! LIFE has to be dealt with.
I realize there are those that need this medication, and that for many it restored the quality of life for them. But these drugs are far too often over-prescribed. Instead of referring the patient for counseling, or psychiatric intervention where medication may be used after an evaluation, regular MD's, DO's, and other doctors prescribe these medications after asking a couple of questions.
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