Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
https://trends.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0077
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
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The overprescription of antidepressants and its impact on the elderly in Australia

Prescrição excessiva de antidepressivos e seu impacto em idosos na Austrália

Muath Alduhishy

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0077 Trends Psychiatry Psychother, vol.40, n3, p.241-243, 2018
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Abstract

Abstract Introduction Psychopharmaceutical medications are noted for being one of the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide, which makes the issue of overprescribing them such a heated topic in medicine and psychiatry today. Method A literature review was made to investigate the topic of psychotropic medication prescriptions. The scope intended here is specific to antidepressant use, or rather overuse, in Australia, but it can be compared to the use of other psychotropic drugs in most western countries. The focus is directed towards the most vulnerable group of patients: the elderly. Results The past few decades have witnessed a surge in the use of psychotropic drugs, most notably antidepressants, in Australia and worldwide. This has numerous reasons as well as consequences, especially on vulnerable members of society. Conclusion It has been suggested that overprescription of antidepressants is fueled by the increase in the incidence of depression, stress and anxiety, or due to the way psychotropic medications are marketed. However, regardless of the validity of the said reasons, another explanation could be suggested: psychiatric disorders, namely depression, are being overdiagnosed on a considerable scale, probably leading to a list of significant adverse consequences that mostly affect the most vulnerable groups of patients. At the end, further rigorous research should certainly be undertaken to examine the extent and cost of overprescription of psychotropic drugs in society.

Keywords

Antidepressants, medications, depression, overuse, overprescription, elderly

Resumo

Resumo Introdução Os psicofármacos estão entre as medicações mais frequentemente prescritas no mundo todo, tornando o assunto da prescrição excessiva um assunto polêmico na medicina e na psiquiatria nos dias atuais. Método Foi feita uma revisão da literatura para investigar o tópico das prescrições dos medicamentos psicotrópicos. O escopo pretendido aqui é especificamente o uso de antidepressivos, ou melhor, seu uso excessivo, na Austrália, mas ele pode ser comparado ao uso de outros medicamentos psicotrópicos na maioria dos países ocidentais. O foco é direcionado ao grupo mais vulnerável de pacientes: os idosos. Resultados As últimas décadas testemunharam um aumento no uso de drogas psicotrópicas, principalmente antidepressivos, na Austrália e no mundo todo. Isso tem várias razões e também consequências, especialmente nos membros vulneráveis da sociedade. Conclusão Tem sido sugerido que a prescrição excessiva de antidepressivos é motivada pelo aumento na incidência de depressão, stress e ansiedade, ou devido à forma como as medicações psicotrópicas são comercializadas. No entanto, independentemente da validade das razões apontadas, outra explicações poderia ser sugerida: transtornos psiquiátricos, especialmente depressão, têm sido sobrediagnosticados em uma escala considerável, provavelmente levando a uma lista de consequências adversas significativas que afetam principalmente os grupos mais vulneráveis de pacientes. Afinal, pesquisas rigorosas deveriam ser conduzidas para examinar a extensão e o custo da prescrição excessiva de medicamentos psicotrópicos na sociedade.

Palavras-chave

Antidepressivos, medicamentos, depressão, uso excessivo, prescrição excessiva, idosos

References

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