Reading time: 5 minutes
In recent years, there has been significant progress in the acceptance and understanding of mental illness and disorders within the field of psychology. This advancement has led to the development of new medications that can assist in the treatment of mental health disorders, offering individuals additional possibilities for healing. This progress is exciting and raises hopes for the future however, it has come with a cost. The over prescription of drugs used to treat mental illness has become a concern, partly due to the increased incidence of mental health disorders and the way these drugs are marketed and discussed.
Psychopharmaceutical drugs are medications that act on the central nervous system, changing certain activities in the brain to produce beneficial effects for individuals taking them. These medications are known to be one of the most prescribed drugs in the world, with the CDC highlighting that in 2019, 15.8% of adults in the United States had taken prescription drugs for their mental health.
Undoubtedly, the rise in prescriptions has risen along with the incidence rate of mental health disorders. Today, approximately 1 in 4 people will be affected by a mental illness at some point in their lives. Although this is indeed a massive number, it is important to acknowledge that not only is medication not always effective, but it can also potentially do more harm than good.
When discussing antidepressants in particular, prescription rate has more than tripled between 1998 and 2018 (National institute of Health, 2021). This can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the incidence rate is rising, causing doctors to try and heal as many cases as fast as possible. On top of this, doctors, especially in the United States, receive higher pay checks related to the drugs they prescribe, which is causing an over prescription in all fields, not just the mental health one. Finally, the level of over prescription is directly linked to the over diagnosis of disease, and when discussing depression, the numbers are shocking.
A study conducted at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that depression was being heavily over diagnosed, hence leading to the over prescription of medication to treat it. The study’s author, Ramin J. Mojtabai, PhD, stated that “among study participants who were 65 years old or older with clinician-identified depression, 6 out of every 7 did not meet the 12-month major depressive episodes criteria,” highlighting the problem with diagnosis. Furthermore, he noted that “participants who did not meet the criteria used significantly fewer services and treatment contacts, the majority of both groups used prescription psychiatric medication”. This overdiagnosis leads to over prescription as doctors aim to treat all patients they believe to be unwell.
While recent research has led to the development of antidepressants with fewer side effects, most of these medications (such as SSRIs and SNRIs) still have heavy side effects, including drowsiness, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, sexual dysfunction, weight gain and an increased risk of suicide. A 2020 article published in Healthline by Tony Hicks argued that although antidepressants have clear short-term benefits and individuals should continue to take prescribed medications, they don’t necessarily improve the quality of life over a long period of time and should ideally always be paired with a therapeutical program. Although the side effects of these pills may seem acceptable in exchange for a ‘happier’ day to day life, they can be extremely debilitating, and the exchange is often just a dulling of emotions rather than a return to a significantly happier life.
Overprescribing such medications can become problematic, particularly when they are prescribed to individuals who do not require them. Taking antidepressants when unnecessary can lead to a serotonin build up in the body, potentially resulting in serotonin syndrome, characterised by symptoms such as agitation, confusion, excessive sweating and loss of muscle coordination. Additionally, a build-up of serotonin can cause subtle changes in brain structure and function due to the potency of this medication.
It is crucial to acknowledge that many individuals who take antidepressants genuinely need them, and these medications can help them conduct a more normal and stable life. However, it is also important to recognise the portion of the population that does not fall into this category. Mental health issues can be extremely debilitating, and it can be tempting to seek a solution simply because it is offered. In such cases, it becomes important to educated oneself about the consequences of these medications and whether they are required or if a therapeutic approach may be more effective. All medications carry potential side effects, which can be negligible if taken for the right reasons but can become significant when taken inappropriately.
Carlotta Menozzi
carlotta.menozzi01@icatt.it
Bibliography
Alyssa. (2022, February 9). Taking antidepressants without depression. Mental Health Program at Banyan Treatment Centers. https://www.banyanmentalhealth.com/2022/02/09/effects-of-taking-antidepressants-without-depression/
Global mental health statistics. (2022, September 19). Children’s HopeChest. https://www.hopechest.org/global-mental-health-statistics/
Hicks, T. (2022, April 20). Antidepressants don’t necessarily improve quality of life in the long run, study says. Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/antidepressants-dont-necessarily-improve-quality-of-life-in-the-long-run-study-says
Products – Data briefs – Number 380. (2020, September 29). September 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db380.htm
What antidepressants can do to a brain that is not depressed. (2023). UNSW Sites. https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2019/03/what-antidepressants-can-do-to-a-brain-that-is-not-depressedWhat are some common side effects of antidepressants? (2023). Drugs.Com. https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/common-side-effects-antidepressants-3440087/
A.P.E. 
Lascia un commento