GPs are too ready to prescribe anti-depressants for stressed out patients, a new report reveals today.
GPs are too ready to prescribe anti-depressants for stressed out patients, a new report reveals today.
More than 80% openly admit to over-prescribing anti-depressants like Prozac and Seroxat to their patients who are suffering from conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress.
And they say they’re often forced to prescribe these drugs to patients because the appropriate psychological therapies or social care for mild to moderate mental health conditions are simply not available.
Nearly three-quarters of GPs also say they prescribe more anti-depressants now than they did five years ago, while a quarter of GPs told researchers that more widespread availability of psychological therapies is one of the most pressing priorities for the NHS.
Norwich Union Healthcare commissioned independent medical research specialists Dr Foster to conduct this research as it launches a national initiative to help people get the best support for mental health conditions. It has created an online information guide – Services for a Healthy Mind – part of its www.personalhealthmanager.co.uk website.
Dr Doug Wright, of Norwich Union Healthcare says: "Our information guide gives people the opportunity to educate themselves on the mental health services available in their local area, and beyond. By giving people the information they need they will be better placed to choose the most suitable treatment with their GP."
The Norwich Union Healthcare study also reveals:
- A third of people say they either know someone who is, or are themselves suffering from, a mild or moderate mental health condition
- 17% of those questioned say they’ve sought help or advice from a healthcare professional for mild anxiety, depression or stress
- Men are more likely than women to keep quiet at work because they fear it will affect their career
- While more women than men have sought help on mental health issues like mild depression, panic attacks or anxiety, men are more likely to have visited their GP regarding dependency on prescribed or illegal drugs, or alcoholism
Depression is a common condition, which will affect one in five people at some stage in their life.* More than half of doctors say that their patients often expect to get prescriptions for anti-depressants.
The study has been launched in the run up to National Depression Week (19 April- 25 April) – a campaign to raise awareness of depression and to fight the stigma around it - which will concentrate on highlighting one of the most frightening aspects of the illness: its prevalence.
But according to Jim Thomson, chief executive of leading UK charity Depression Alliance: "Anti-depressants are a valuable form of treatment for many people affected by depression, but these medicines work best in combination with other therapies – therapies that are largely unavailable in many areas, forcing GPs to prescribe in isolation of them. We want people to be aware of the many alternative types of treatment available, such as self-help and talking therapies, and we encourage them to look at all the options available to them to help combat their illness."
The new online guide from Norwich Union Healthcare, compiled in conjunction with Dr Foster, offers the facility to search for mental health service provision in the UK, either by postcode or by specific speciality. It also provides a comprehensive glossary of mental health conditions and the different therapies available as well as series of practical resources such as a link to a 24 hour Stress Counselling Helpline, and information and tips on coping with stress.
The service is available online at www.personalhealthmanager.co.uk. Part of the website includes research into the provision of services provided by primary care organisations for adults with mild to moderate mental health and alcohol problems.
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Media contacts: Jo Misson or Charlotte Ruddlesdin at QBO Bell Pottinger on 020 7861 2424
Lorna Wiltshire at Norwich Union Press Office on 01904 723236 or 07788 471849
Notes to editors:
Journalists wanting a limited free trial for Personal Health Manager, please visit www.personalhealthmanager.co.uk and log in as a first time user with the access code: 2C55E90A1. Once you have logged in, this code will allow you to trial Personal Health Manager as a registered user from now until 30 April 2004*. DO NOT PUBLISH THIS ACCESS CODE – IT IS FOR JOURNALIST USE ONLY.
Norwich Union Healthcare commissioned Dr Foster to conduct research amongst 250 plus practicing General Practitioners from across the UK in January 2004.
The Guide to Services for a Healthy Mind research was commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare and carried out by Dr Foster in July 2003.
*1in 5 people at some stage in their life will be affected by Depression. Royal College of Psychiatrists 1992.
About Norwich Union Healthcare
- Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products that cover over 750,000 lives. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
- Norwich Union Healthcare is a member of the General Insurance Standards Council, the Association of British Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
- Norwich Union’s news releases and a selection of images are available from Aviva’s internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media
- An ISDN facility is available for studio quality broadcast. Call the press office on 08703 66 68 68
- For all life, pensions and equity release media enquiries call 08703 66 68 73
- For all other media enquiries call 08703 66 68 68
About Dr Foster
- Dr Foster is the leading independent authority on healthcare quality in the UK. It publishes information which is accessible to the general public and provides information analysis to the professional healthcare community.
- An independent Ethics Committee with substantial powers to enforce editorial and research integrity oversees the organisation.
- Further information is available at www.drfoster.co.uk
About Depression Alliance
- Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people with depression. It works to relieve and to prevent this treatable condition by providing information, support and understanding to those who are affected by it. It also campaigns to raise awareness amongst the general public about the realities of depression.