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News items on 'Antidepressant Drugs'
Antidepressants 'work instantly'
(BBC 26/10/2009)
Antidepressants get to work immediately to lift mood, contrary to current belief, UK researchers say. Although patients may not notice the effects until months into the therapy, the team say they work subconsciously. The action is rapid, beginning within hours of taking the drugs, and changes negative thoughts, according to the Oxford University researchers. These subtle, positive cues may add up over time to lift the depression, the American Journal of Psychiatry reports.
Prozac rise 'down to serial use'
(BBC 22/10/2009)
An increase in prescriptions for anti-depressants is due to doctors giving drugs to the same people for longer periods of time, a study has found. Researchers looked at UK prescriptions over nearly a decade, and found that the number of new patients diagnosed with depression had fallen. However, the number of prescriptions doubled over the same period of time. Writing in the BMJ, researchers called for new guidance on long-term prescribing and regular reviews.
SNP pledge fails to halt rise in antidepressants
(The Scotsman 10/05/2009)
DOCTORS have prescribed more antidepressants each year despite an SNP manifesto pledge to cut the number, official figures show. NHS boards across Scotland recorded rises from about 3.6 million antidepressants prescribed in 2006 to 3.9 million last year. The SNP said it wanted to reduce the number of prescriptions by 10 per cent by 2009 in a plan to improve mental health. Public Health Minister Shona Robison disclosed the figures in a written parliamentary answer.
Suicides 'unchanged by pill ban'
(BBC 24/04/2009)
Restrictions on teenagers' use of antidepressants have had no measurable impact on suicide rates, a study says. In 2003, regulators warned against use of the drugs in the under-18s after concerns from clinical trials that some patients may become suicidal. Bristol university analysis of suicide rates among 15 to 19-year-olds in 22 countries from 1990 to 2006 found no change in the wake of the restrictions.
Valleys top anti-depressant table
(BBC 07/04/2009)
More anti-depressant drugs are being prescribed to patients in the south Wales valleys than anywhere else in England and Wales, new figures show. Seven of the "top 10" areas for the drugs were in Wales, and the highest was Torfaen, with 104 prescriptions per 1,000 patients in January. National guidance says patients should first be offered self-help and therapy. The Welsh Assembly Government said it had invested significantly in mental health services in recent years.
One in ten Scots taking antidepressants
(The Scotsman 17/12/2008)
The number of antidepressants prescribed has more than tripled in the past 15 years, according to NHS Scotland statistics on medicines used in mental health. It has grown from 1.16 million items to 3.83 million between 1992-93 and 2007-8. Also, an increasing amount (£40 million last year) is now spent on the drugs every year, even though costs are falling.
You CAN overcome fear by finding your 'happy place', say scientists
(Daily Mail 09/10/2008)
Mice forced to swim endlessly until they surrendered and just floated, waiting to drown, were conditioned to regain their will to live when a tone they associated with safety was played. The experiment suggests that there are good ways to teach people this skill, and points to new routes for developing better antidepressants, said lead researcher Dr Eric Kandel of Columbia University.
Depression pill may damage men's chances of having children
(Daily Mail 25/09/2008)
Taking paroxetine tablets (Seroxat) for just a few weeks can more than double the amount of damage to the DNA in sperm, a study found. IVF doctors said the findings were 'alarming'. But they warned those keen to start a family not to stop taking their anti-depressants without speaking to their doctor first because coming off the treatment could increase the risk of suicide.
How doctors are turning millions of us into addicts
(Daily Mail 19/08/2008)
Britain spends millions helping junkies kick the habit. So why isn't there any help for patients who become hooked on drugs prescribed by their doctor?
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