Prozac Nation

Prozac Nation: Use of antidepressants in the UKhas soared by 500% in the past 20 years

Use of medication has increased by 20% each year across Europe since 1995 andthis has coincided with a suicide drop of 0.8%Sweden and Slovakia have seen largest growth in the use of the drugs, with a1000% increase in Sweden between 1980 and 2009Icelanders are the heaviest medication users with almost 9% of the populationtaking a daily dose of antidepressants

By Rachel Reilly

PUBLISHED: 15:57 GMT, 5 July 2013 | UPDATED: 16:41 GMT, 5 July 2013

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The use of antidepressant medication in the UK has increased five-fold since 1991, new data reveals.

It also showed that the use of such drugs had increased by 20 per cent each year across Europe over asimilar period.

This increase in uptake across Europe was found to have coincided with a gradual decline in suicide rates.

Experts said that data collected over past 30 years provides 'strong evidence' thatantidepressants are playing a key role in treatment strategies for depression

Between 1995 and 2009, the use of antidepressants across Europe increased by almost 20 per cent per yearon average, with a corresponding 0.8 per cent annual reduction in the suicide rate.

Researchers, including David McDaid from the London School of Economics and Political Science, said thatdata collected from 29 European countries over three decades provided ‘strong evidence’ that antidepressantsare playing a key role in treatment strategies for depression.

However, he said that other factors should not be discounted - such as a country’s economic state, culturalmores and access to psychological services.

Interestingly, the report found no consistent relationship between suicide rates and alcohol consumption,divorce, or employment rates.

EUROPEAN ANTIDEPRESSANT USE: THE STATISTICS

UK use has rocked 495% since 1991Between 1995 and 2009 use of drug rose by 20 per cent across EuropeSweden, Norway and Slovakia have seen the largest growth in usage with an 1000 per cent increase inSweden’s case between 1980 and 2009The lowest rates were recorded in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Bulgaria, France and LuxembourgIcelanders are the heaviest users with previous studies suggesting that almost 9 per cent of thepopulation taking daily dosesWhile suicide rates have fallen across Europe, suicide still remains a major public health problem in theEU countries, accounting for 60,000 deaths each yearLithuania has highest suicide rate followed by Hungary, while Greece, Italy and Spain are at the otherend of the spectrum, with suicide rates the lowest in the EU

Sweden, Norway and Slovakia have seen the largest growth in antidepressant usage with an 1000 per centincrease in Sweden’s case between 1980 and 2009 – while the lowest growths have been recorded in theNetherlands, Switzerland, Bulgaria, France and Luxembourg.

The United Kingdom has recorded a five-fold increase (495 per cent) in the use of antidepressants since 1991

and a 14 per cent fall in suicide rates over the same period.

Icelanders are the heaviest users of anti-depressants with previous studies suggesting that almost nine percent of the population take daily doses of medication, compared to just four per cent in Romania.

While suicide rates have fallen across Europe, suicide still remains a major public health problem in the EUcountries, accounting for 60,000 deaths each year.

Lithuania has the highest current suicide rate followed by Hungary, while Greece, Italy and Spain are at theother end of the spectrum, with suicide rates the lowest in the EU.

Mr McDaid, an LSE mental health policy researcher, said the data showed that suicide rates had decreasedmore in countries where there had been a spike in the use of anti-depressants on a regular basis.

'These findings underline the importance of the appropriate use of anti-depressants as part of routine care forpeople diagnosed with depression, therefore reducing the risk of suicide,' he said.

Lithuania has the highest current suicide rate followed by Hungary, while Greece, Italyand Spain are at the other end of the spectrum, with suicide rates the lowest in the EU

'The stigma surrounding antidepressants has decreased in line with improved awareness of mental healthproblems over the past 30 years, more counselling services and safer medication options.

'Increased funding for mental health systems has also helped make anti-depressants more affordable andaccessible,' he added.

'A decline in suicide rates cannot be linked directly to antidepressants but the evidence in support of them –when used appropriately – is pretty compelling,' he added.

The findings of the study, Antidepressant utilization and suicide in Europe: an ecological multi-national studyare published in the latest issue of the Public Library of Science (PLoS One).

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Comments (73)

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Twice I've been to my doctor with separate health issues, and each time they tried to fob me off with ant-depressants. The onlyreason I was depressed was because I had health issues!!!! Added to that they wanted to put 'depression' on my sick note for work.I've been seriously fed up in my life many times, but I've never been 'depressed'.

- ttfan1948 Brighton , Sussex, United Kingdom, 05/7/2013 21:08

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Doctors dish these out like sweeties. I know so many people on them...many of them young girls who have split up with theirboyfriend, gone to the doctors and been put on these. That's crazy. I've been through hell in the last couple of years after beingdumped by my son's father and all his messing around, and I've reached the depths of despair at some points BUT there was noway I was taking these things. You work through life's ups and downs and you recover much quicker than you would on these things.They numb you. You can't feel happy and you can't feel sad...you're basically a zombie. And they're so addictive. I'd rather gothrough months or hell without taking anything than years of hell on this rubbish! Yes...some people really need them, but the vastmajority of people on them don't.

- Lexie , Liverpool, 05/7/2013 21:08

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The truth is that the treatment and therapy needed to deal with depression can no longer be readily supplied on the NHS. They haveto rely on counsellors, who lack the full medical background, and even these have huge waiting lists for patients. So, the answer? Fill'em up on happy pills, and keep your fingers crossed that the condition doesn't worsen until they get the therapy they need. It's asticking plaster remedy, and this society is driving more and more people to the point that they desperately need this help.

- Doomsayer , Southend on Sea, 05/7/2013 21:03

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Doctors offer antidepressants far too quickly. Society is breaking down in the UK, no responsibility, no morals, no one cares andpeople are becoming isolated and depressed. - jk, uk, 05/07/2013 16:25 Very easy to blame the medics, if you are depressed youget counselling +/- Anti-depressants, what else do you suggest? I hope not antibiotics.

- DIY , midlands, 05/7/2013 21:01


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Cannabis is the BEST Anti-Depressant the world have ever seen, period

- hemp2saveworld , Wales, United Kingdom, 05/7/2013 21:00


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and thats not because their depressed it so they can claim their benefits and rob the system and tax money

- bradster , cardiff, United Kingdom, 05/7/2013 20:59


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P Norton. Please contact me [email protected] Been there

- ununiform , Cardiff,UK, 05/7/2013 20:56


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Some idiot on here is stating that depression is a way to benefits, mate you are so wrong. Having never claimed anything for over 35years, building 2 businesses then having them destroyed by a nationalised bank, no names mentioned. I lost my home, have nocontact with my children, now live in one room with no future, I crave a job and finally am on anti depressants, believe me I hateevery soul destroying minute of my life, do I want them no, do I need them, yes! Would I give them up yes, I spend every hour tryingto find a job to no avail. There are those of us that would not survive without them so get a life and try and live mine, then post thesame mindless quote eh.

- PNorton , Coventry, 05/7/2013 20:44


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It may just be, that since Thatcherism, life has become more depressing. I'm not surprised people are depressed. When I startedwork, one wage would keep the household. Now , if you're lucky enough to be working, even two wages aren't enough. Life used tobe fun and now it isn't, it's all about money and surviving. And the more people that come to live here, the worse it will get.

- reggie , ipswich, United Kingdom, 05/7/2013 20:42


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It is all being planned break down the family and reducing the population through feminism and the so called sexual revolution so atthe end you have no place to go and become a slave for the government .Thanks DM plz post my comment

- eastren , east, 05/7/2013 20:42


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