The use of antidepressant drugs rose dramatically over the last 20 years, according to a national study. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that since 1988, the use of antidepressant drugs like Prozac and Zoloft has risen nearly 400 percent. The most frequent users are people between 18 and 24.
Missouri mental health professionals gave a few possible reasons for this increase. They attributed the spike to everything from people trying to cope with a struggling economy to easier accessibility.
Janice Mayer, a mental health and family nurse practitioner with the Heartland Psychiatric Clinic, said part of the reason for the increase is there is a better understanding of mental illness and its treatment. Prozac and similar drugs introduced in the 1980s targeted specific chemical imbalances in the brain.
These drugs are not only used for mental disorders, but for pain and other conditions.
"We're beginning to understand the biology of pain better and how some of these chemicals work in helping a person modify or decrease their pain," she said.
Ms. Mayer said the increase can also be attributed to our "fast-food society," in which we want a quick fix for everything, including depression. And it's more affordable than cognitive therapy.
Medicaid and insurance companies only allow for certain providers to perform therapy. And even if your insurance does cover therapy, you may have a $30 co-pay -- compared to a $4 prescription for Prozac at Walmart.
"Medication plays a good role in helping with mood, and helping to focus. But medication doesn't help you understand how you define yourself. I think therapy has a lot to do with that," Ms. Mayer said.
Kristina Hannon, clinical director for the Family Guidance Center for Behavioral Healthcare, sees a couple of reasons for the increase in the use of antidepressants. First, there is less of a stigma attached to taking medication for depression than there was 40 years ago.
Another reason is advertisements. On any given night, you will see several commercials for Zoloft, Paxil or Prozac on TV.
"I also think primary care providers are becoming more comfortable across the board in prescribing medications, where maybe 30 or 40 years ago if you went into a doctor's office and said 'I feel depressed,' you might receive a referral to a psychiatrist," Ms. Hannon said.
The economy also plays a role, as more people are dealing with the stress of losing their jobs, homes and retirement funds. The barrage of bad news on TV doesn't help, either.
"Those things can become very depressing and can make people sad," she said.
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