Number Of Children Prescribed Anti-Depressants Increased By 54% In Seven Years, WHO Reveals
Rise In Prescriptions Of Anti-Depressants For Children A 'Concern'
Amy Packham— The Huffington Post UK
The number of children in the UK prescribed anti-depressants increased by more than 50% between 2005 and 2012, according to a new study.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed the findings and stated that the increase in the use of these drugs to treat young people was "a concern".
Over those seven years there was a 54% increase in the number of young people prescribed anti-depressants in the UK. WHO's study also revealed increases in Denmark (60%), Germany (49%), the US (26%) and the Netherlands (17%) in the same period, according to the BBC.
"Anti-depressant use amongst young people is and has been a matter of concern because of two reasons," WHO director of mental health Dr Shekhar Saxena said, according to PA.
"One, are more people being prescribed anti-depressants without sufficient reason? And second, can anti-depressants do any major harm?"
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The study, 'Trends and patterns of antidepressant use in children and adolescents from five western countries, 2005–2012', was published in the European Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.
Dr Saxena also said WHO was worried that young people were being given drugs not licensed for under-18s.
The guidelines state even when a child has moderate to severe depression, anti-depressants should not be used except in combination with a concurrent psychological therapy.
Dr Maureen Baker, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said anti-depressants would rarely be the first treatment option for children and young people.
"With such long waits for patients to see a specialist or to get a psychological therapy referral, drug therapy is sometimes seen as the only option for GPs to best support patients, who may be in extreme distress, and their family," she said.
"We have been recommending for some time that in future, as part of an enhanced four-year training programme, all GP trainees should receive specialist-led training in mental health and child health.
"These measures truly would help to ensure that our young patients with mental health conditions receive the most appropriate treatment, and the same level of care as those with physical health problems, wherever in the country they live."
12 Surprising Causes Of Depression
Summer Weather(01 of12)
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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is most commonly associated with winter blues, and it afflicts about 5 percent of Americans. But for less than 1 percent of those people, this form of depression strikes in the summer. Warm weather depression arises when the body experiences a "delay adjusting to new seasons," says Alfred Lewy, MD, professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University, in Portland. Instead of waking and enjoying dawn, the body has a hard time adjusting, he says, which could be due to imbalances in brain chemistry and the hormone melatonin.More from Health.com:10 Tips for Dating With DepressionThe Most Depressing States in the U.S.Depressing Jobs: Career Fields With Hight Rates of Depression (credit:Thinkstock)
Smoking(02 of12)
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Smoking has long been linked with depression, though it's a chicken-or-egg scenario: People who are depression-prone may be more likely to take up the habit. However, nicotine is known to affect neurotransmitter activity in the brain, resulting in higher levels of dopamine and serotonin (which is also the mechanism of action for antidepressant drugs). This may explain the addictive nature of the drug, and the mood swings that come with withdrawal, as well as why depression is associated with smoking cessation. Avoiding cigarettes -- and staying smoke free -- could help balance your brain chemicals. (credit:Thinkstock)
Thyroid Disease(03 of12)
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When the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone, it's known as hypothyroidism, and depression is one of its symptoms. This hormone is multifunctional, but one of its main tasks is to act as a neurotransmitter and regulate serotonin levels. If you experience new depression symptoms -- particularly along with cold sensitivity, constipation and fatigue -- a thyroid test couldn't hurt. Hypothyroidism is treatable with medication. (credit:Thinkstock)
Poor Sleep Habits(04 of12)
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It's no surprise that sleep deprivation can lead to irritability, but it could also increase the risk of depression.A 2007 study found that when healthy participants were deprived of sleep, they had greater brain activity after viewing upsetting images than their well-rested counterparts, which is similar to the reaction that depressed patients have, noted one of the study authors."If you don't sleep, you don't have time to replenish [brain cells], the brain stops functioning well, and one of the many factors that could lead to is depression," says Matthew Edlund, M.D., director of the Center for Circadian Medicine, in Sarasota, Fla., and author of "The Power of Rest." (credit:Thinkstock)
Facebook Overload(05 of12)
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Spending too much time in chat rooms and on social-networking sites? A number of studies now suggest that this can be associated with depression, particularly in teens and preteens. Internet addicts may struggle with real-life human interaction and a lack of companionship, and they may have an unrealistic view of the world. Some experts even call it "Facebook depression." In a 2010 study, researchers found that about 1.2 percent of people ages 16 to 51 spent an inordinate amount of time online, and that they had a higher rate of moderate to severe depression. However, the researchers noted that it is not clear if Internet overuse leads to depression or if depressed people are more likely to use the Internet. (credit:Thinkstock)
End Of A TV Show Or Movie(06 of12)
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When something important comes to an end, like a TV show, movie, or a big home renovation, it can trigger depression in some people.In 2009, some "Avatar" fans reported feeling depressed and even suicidal because the movie's fictional world wasn't real. There was a similar reaction to the final installments of the Harry Potter movies. "People experience distress when they're watching primarily for companionship," said Emily Moyer-Gusé, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication at Ohio State University, in Columbus. With "Avatar," Moyer-Gusé suspects people were "swept up in a narrative forgetting about real life and [their] own problems." (credit:Thinkstock)
Where You Live(07 of12)
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You can endlessly debate whether city or country life is better. But research has found that people living in urban settings do have a 39 percent higher risk of mood disorders than those in rural regions. A 2011 study in the journal Nature offers an explanation for this trend: City dwellers have more activity in the part of the brain that regulates stress. And higher levels of stress could lead to psychotic disorders. Depression rates also vary by country and state. Some states have higher rates of depression and affluent nations having higher rates than low-income nations. Even altitude may play a role, with suicide risk going up with altitude. (credit:Thinkstock)
Too Many Choices(08 of12)
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The sheer number of options available -- whether it's face cream, breakfast cereal or appliances -- can be overwhelming. That's not a problem for shoppers who pick the first thing that meets their needs, according to some psychologists. However, some people respond to choice overload by maximizing, or exhaustively reviewing their options in the search for the very best item. Research suggests that this coping style is linked to perfectionism and depression. (credit:Thinkstock)
Lack Of Fish In The Diet(09 of12)
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Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon and vegetable oils, may be associated with a greater risk of depression. A 2004 Finnish study found an association between eating less fish and depression in women, but not in men. These fatty acids regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin, which could explain the link. Fish oil supplements may work too; at least one study found they helped depression in people with bipolar disorder. (credit:Thinkstock)
Poor Sibling Relationships(10 of12)
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Although unhappy relationships with anyone can cause depression, a 2007 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that men who didn't get along with their siblings before age 20 were more likely to be depressed later in life than those who did. Although it's not clear what's so significant about sibling relationships (the same wasn't true for relationships with parents), researchers suggest that they could help children develop the ability to relate with peers and socialize. Regardless of the reason, too much squabbling is associated with a greater risk of developing depression before age 50. (credit:Thinkstock)
Birth Control Pills(11 of12)
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Like any medication, the pill can have side effects. Oral contraceptives contain a synthetic version of progesterone, which studies suggest can lead to depression in some women. "The reason is still unknown," says Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University, in New York. "It doesn't happen to everyone, but if women have a history of depression or are prone to depression, they have an increased chance of experiencing depression symptoms while taking birth control pills," Dr. Hutcherson says. "Some women just can't take the pill; that's when we start looking into alternative contraception, like a diaphragm, which doesn't contain hormones." (credit:Thinkstock)
Rx Medications(12 of12)
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Depression is a side effect of many medications. For example, Accutane and its generic version (isotretinoin) are prescribed to clear up severe acne, but depression and suicidal thoughts are a potential risk for some people. Depression is a possible side effect for anxiety and insomnia drugs, including Valium and Xanax; Lopressor, prescribed to treat high blood pressure; cholesterol-lowering drugs including Lipitor; and Premarin for menopausal symptoms. Read the potential side effects when you take a new medication, and always check with your doctor to see if you might be at risk.More from Health.com:10 Tips for Dating With DepressionThe Most Depressing States in the U.S.Depressing Jobs: Career Fields With Hight Rates of Depression (credit:Thinkstock)