Evaluation consumption of antidepressants in children has risen sharply

Antidepressant consumption in Germany has increased by almost fifty percent
More and more children are prescribed so-called antidepressants. The World Health Organization (WHO) sees this high consumption of antidepressants in children as problematic. In the UK alone, the number of prescribed antidepressants increased by more than fifty percent in eight years.

Do medics prescribe to children too often antidepressants? The consumption of such drugs has risen massively in recent years in children. Are the reasons for prescribing antidepressants justified in these cases or are the medications prescribed without good reason? Researchers now attempted to clarify these issues by conducting a major study on the use of appropriate drugs in adolescents. The scientists published the results of their study in the journal "European Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology".

Prescriptions of antidepressants to children and adolescents have increased dramatically over the past five years. (Image: Brian Jackson / fotolia.com)

Consumption of antidepressants in children is increasing again
The number of prescribed antidepressants in children has risen sharply in recent years. In the United Kingdom alone, the number of prescriptions for these medicines increased by more than fifty percent between 2005 and 2012, the doctors say. After fears that the use of antidepressants in young people could trigger suicidal behavior, the use of the drugs in the past, although temporarily decreased. But now experts warn that the consumption of antidepressants in children in western countries is rising again. The use of antidepressants in young people should be critically reviewed for two reasons, the researchers explain. For many people, the drug is prescribed without good reason. In addition, it is not certain that antidepressants do not cause major harm to children, adds dr. Shekhar Saxena from the WHO added.

In Germany, antidepressant prescriptions in children increase by 49 percent
The WHO was concerned that many young people are prescribed medications that are not approved for adolescents under the age of 18. The study examined the use of antidepressants in children and adolescents from five Western countries in the years 2005 to 2012, the researchers explain. In the same period, there was an increase in prescriptions of antidepressants by 54 percent in the United Kingdom alone. In comparison, prescriptions rose by 60 percent in Denmark, by 49 percent in Germany, by 26 percent in the US and by 17 percent in the Netherlands, say the experts.

Experts advise to combine antidepressants and psychological therapy
However, according to guidelines, such medications should not be prescribed to treat mild depression in children, physicians explain. If children with moderate to severe depression are treated with antidepressants, the child should go through a psychological therapy at the same time, the experts continue. Without such a combination, the drug should never be used. Antidepressants are rarely the first viable treatment option for children and adolescents, the researchers warn.

Better education required for healthcare professionals
But because such patients often have to wait long for their treatment before they can consult a specialist or start a psychological therapy, some doctors sometimes see a drug therapy as the only option. So they hope to help those affected and their families in their extreme need, the scientists explain. The future training of health professionals should, in their view, be better informed regarding mental health and the health of children. These measures would ensure that young patients with mental illness receive the most appropriate treatment, the experts add. (As)