1 in 6 U.S. Adults Takes a Psychiatric Drug: Study

1 in 6 U.S. Adults Takes a Psychiatric Drug: Examine

Whether or not the medicines over-prescribed is up for debate, psychiatrists say

WebMD Information from HealthDay

By Steven Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Dec. 12, 2016 (HealthDay Information) -- One in six U.S. adults takes a psychiatric remedy to deal with situations similar to melancholy, nervousness and insomnia, a brand new examine finds.

Researchers discovered that in 2013 practically 17 % of adults stated they stuffed a number of prescriptions for antidepressants similar to Zoloft; sedatives and sleep medication, together with Xanax and Ambien; or antipsychotics, used to deal with schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction.

"From a drug security perspective, I'm involved that so many of those medication have withdrawal results and that among the overwhelming long-term use could mirror drug dependence," stated examine co-author Thomas Moore.

"These questions want additional investigation," added Moore, a senior scientist for drug security and coverage on the nonprofit Institute for Secure Remedy Practices in Alexandria, Va.

As a result of most prescriptions for these medication are written by major care physicians, not psychiatrists, sufferers do not get the psychological well being care they want, one specialist stated.

"The usage of psychotropic remedy has turn into a difficulty of accelerating concern within the U.S., each on account of lack of readability of the medical goal of some psychotropic therapy, in addition to the rising prices of well being," stated Dr. Shawna Newman, who wasn't concerned within the examine. She's a psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York Metropolis.

"The overwhelming preponderance of prescriptions for psychotropic medicines are written by non-psychiatrists," she stated. She famous 2014 examine by the U.S. Nationwide Institutes of Well being revealed benzodiazepines -- medicines similar to Xanax, Ativan, Valium -- had been largely prescribed by non-psychiatrists, she stated.

"Entry to psychiatrists and acceptable psychological well being therapy is a crucial challenge in U.S. well being care," Newman stated.

Moore and a colleague from Threat Sciences Worldwide in Ottawa, Canada, used the 2013 U.S. Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to calculate percentages of adults utilizing prescription antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, sedatives, sleep aids and antipsychotics.

Among the many 1 in 6 individuals who reported use of those medication, 12 % stated they'd taken an antidepressant, and eight % reported filling a prescription for nervousness drugs, sedatives or sleep aids. Practically 2 % had taken antipsychotic medication, the investigators discovered.