Money worries blamed for rise in number of Borderers taking anti-depressant drugs
David Knox • Published 11 Oct 2011 09:30
4 Comments
STARTLING new statistics have revealed that the Borders is the grip of a pill popping pandemic - for depression.
The past decade has seen a huge surge in the number of Borderers taking antidepressants. And the economic recession is believed to be behind the recent trend with more than 10 per cent of Borders taking the prescribed drugs.
NHS figures show the consumption of the pills has more than quadrupled in the past two decades with almost four million pills now taken every day in the region - compared to 720,000 when figures were first collated during 1993/94.
Cliff Sharp, Consultant Psychiatrist for NHS Borders, believes that a modern open approach to mentl health issues has led to more people seeking help. He told the Border Telegraph: "As depression and other mental illnesses become less stigmatised, more people come forward to their GPs for treatment, and the GP's art is to distinguish between people with unhappiness, self-limiting spells of distress and those with a clinical depression or depressive illness which is sufficiently severe to warrant antidepressant medication."
Antidepressants, such as Citalopram, Amitriptyline and Fluoxtine, are taken regularly by 111 out of every 1,000 Borderers - compared with 54 a decade ago.
Although more and more drugs are being handed out, NHS Borders also offers alternative treatments such as psychological therapies, which includes the Doing Well lifestyle self-help programme and clinical psychology appointments.
The NHS24 Living Life service, which offers cognitive behaviour therapy over the telephone, and the Living Life to the Full website, which allows people to undertake self-help programmes, are also encouraged. And more and more doctors in the Borders are prescribing gym and swimming sessions to patients.
But the rise in the number of prescribed pills is causing concern.
Dr Sharp added: "Depression affects about 10 per cent of the population and in severe cases has a suicide rate of up to 10 per cent, so it's important to identify and treat. During economic hard times there is an impact on people, and you might expect a rise in the numbers who experience stress, anxiety and depression."
Local MSP Christine Grahame, who sat on the Government's health committee, believes work is the key to the region finding happiness. She said: "This is one of the effects of the recession with people having debt problems and uncertainty surrounding their jobs, leading to them being under pressure and becoming depressed. With low wages in the Borders we're not at a good starting point.
"The best solution to this type of ill health is a good, enjoyable job. It's all very well saying 'pull yourself together' - it's not that simple. The Government is looking to create new jobs and create optimism. Job security can go a long way to helping."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 11 Oct 11
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
Lady-Oh
Unregistered User
Oct 12, 11:28
Report commentI understand GPs prescribing anti-depressents as a way of trying to help people. However, those who are suffering from depression due to the recession arent going to find that once they start taking these pills their paycheck is suddenly going to go up.
All too often people go to the doctors with symptoms of depression and are sent home with a pharmacy bag full of pills that have nasty side-effects (including severe-depression) .
However, suicide is still an issue in the borders and I think this is becauses people with mental health conditions are often not taken seriously and seen as the last priority to GPs when infact in severe cases the condition is life threating.
These people dont just need pills(if at all) they need help in life. They need councilling, group referrals,someone who is willing to listen to whats wrong in their lives and help them practically and emotionally.
Yes I agree anti-depressants can help some of the more milder cases but some need more help.
I have personlly experienced this. After seeing a doctor I was put on anti-depressants. I returned the next month more depressed and miserable.
The doctor said 'lets give these other pills a go'. Not 'why are you feeling this way'?
Recommend?
Yes 0
No 0
-
LevenBrown
9 posts
Oct 13, 15:07
Report commentMy name is Leven Brown - I am a Borderer and now a professional sportsman and in my twenties I was horribly in debt and couldn't see a way out. As a result I have done alot of research into debt law, contracts, the various credit acts and your rights. I was also in the financial industry for 17 years, ironically, when I was most in debt!
I am in the throws of setting up a new business to help people with their debts and in alot of cases we will get them written off completely if your circumstances are right. IE you are genuinely struggling to pay your debt. Though the company is not properly set up yet we are ready to help people and this article would seem to be the right place to start.
If you are being harassed by debt collectors or by your bank please contact me at levenbrown@gmail.com for now. I can stop them harassing by phone within 48 hours. Then if you send me the debt collection letters/threats along with a summary of any action you have already taken or payments you have made or if you are in an IVA or in one of these rip off debt management schemes. I can asses whether I can help or not. In the vast majority of cases I should be able to. It should be noted I can't really help with secured loans, tax, vat and utility bills - sorry - almost everything else - yes!
We are not a debt management company and I don't offer any financial or legal advice. We provide a unique route out of debt, help and support. We help you in four stage negotiation with your creditors and we make a small charge for our time - this is a passion of mine and I can't do it for free anymore as it is taking up too much of my time - at each one of the four stages. If we don't succeed you'll get a full refund, but be assured I, or one of our small and dedicated team, will be with you and on your side from day 1. In some cases we can have you debt free in 40 days from your e-mail.
levenbrown@gmail.com
No website yet - that is in the pipeline! But help is just an e-mail away ...
Recommend? Yes 4
No 4
-
Dereks
Unregistered User
Oct 14, 21:13
Report commentLeven, who do you think picks up the write-off costs for the greedy individuals who have been living beyond their means and getting themselves into debt? Yes that's right, the consumers who don't get themselves into debt by paying higher prices over the longer term, as the supplier isn’t going to absorb the costs. Shame on you for promoting this get-out-of-jail card and for taking advantage of this article to make a few quid.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
-
Terijack
Unregistered User
Nov 6, 22:10
Report commentFor people already in debt you charge them further, which they obviously cannot afford, for something they could do for themselves! We are in a position in this country where for far too long we have abdicated responsibility for our own actions. Not just in debt but in all areas of life. Its way past time to wake up and take responsbility for our own actions! That's the real reason why the country is in such a mess - the "somebody else will sweep up the mess if it all goes wrong" mentality. I agree with Dereks, its the people who are responsible for their own actions that ultimately pay for those that don't and let's face it those that want others to sweep up their mess would be the first to say "that's not fair" if it were the other way around.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
