Recession drives huge rise in antidepressant usage

22/06/2009

Stress levels have gone through the roof due to the recession - and sales of antidepressants have gone up as a result.

Figures for England show that a total of 36 million prescriptions were written by doctors for this purpose in 2008, a shocking 24 per cent rise over the five-year average, the Observer reports.

What's more, 2.1 million more prescriptions for antidepressants were made last year compared to 2007.

The data first came to light through a request from Liberal Democrats.

Phillip Hodson, a fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, told the newspaper that he thought the economic downturn, and the rise in unemployment, were responsible for the depression increase.

"Depression can be caused by unacceptable change happening at an unacceptable rate … For some, too much change can be paralysing," he said.

Kevin Still, EuroDebt director, added: "Financial stress is a serious problem and can result in people suffering from mental health problems and potentially becoming more indebted. If a client discloses that they are suffering from a know medical condition and are being prescribed with drugs for their condition then this may need to be taken into account when a debt advisor is assisting someone in financial difficulty.

"Indeed, companies like have EuroDebt have adopted the best practices promoted by the Money Advice Trust with regard to debt and mental health problems. Where applicable, we are able to assist a client in completing an 'Evidence Form', which is downloadable from the Money Advice Trust website, and this would be used in negotiations with creditors and their appointed collection agents."

Tags; Job loss, Credit Card Lifestyle, Young Family Finances, Retirement Money Problems,

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