Experts psychotropic drugs do not permanently alleviate mental disorders

Psychotropic drugs relieve symptoms only in the short term and involve significant risks
The massive use of psychotropic drugs in the treatment of mental health problems has been increasingly criticized for some time. "Drugs are often available faster than psychotherapy" and "many people rely on appropriate preparations," according to the latest release from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB). The consequences are often fatal.

RUB researchers conclude that "currently available drugs can not permanently alleviate the symptoms of mental disorders". With longer-term intake would also threaten significant negative consequences. The psychologists Prof. dr. Jürgen Margraf and Prof. Dr. med. Silvia Schneider report in a commentary of the journal "EMBO Molecular Medicine" on their results.

Psychotropic drugs usually have only a short-term effect and return the symptoms after their discontinuation. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia.com)

Only short-term relief from medicines
The RUB scientists have collected numerous evidence that speak against the long-term effects of psychotropic drugs. The drugs for depression, anxiety disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had only a short-term effect. When the patients give it up again, the symptoms return, according to the researchers. According to the RUB, similar findings are also suspected for schizophrenia drugs.

Risks of long-term use
The drugs, however, not only have a limited effect, but long-term use also threatens negative consequences such as an increased risk of chronic disease or increased relapse rates, reports the RUB. According to this, the patients are possibly exposed to health impairments that could be avoided with other treatment methods of psychotherapy.

Psychotropic drugs can be prescribed quickly
In addition, according to the scientists, psychotherapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy achieve significantly better long-lasting effects over the long term than the remedies. The question arises, why not more affected people are treated psychotherapeutically. According to Prof. Schneider, the main problem here is "the lack of availability." The effectiveness or cost are usually less important in the decision. But psychotropic drugs can be administered quickly, while those affected often have to wait long for a therapy place. So the decision is usually in favor of the drugs in the end.

Consider the influence of social factors
Scientists conclude that research into biological, psychological and social factors needs to be more closely linked to better care for patients. The widespread idea that mental disorders can only be explained by biological concepts is inappropriate here. "Today, it is standard practice to tell patients and the public that a degenerated neurotransmitter system is the cause of mental illness," says Prof. Margraf. But it remains unclear whether this phenomenon is cause or consequence. Social factors must not be neglected in the opinion of the experts at this point.

Less marketing for psychotropic drugs
According to the researchers, the rigid categories of "sick" and "healthy" for mental disorders, which can express themselves in very different ways with their many different forms, are of little help. Especially since the transitions between individual psychic peculiarities and actual mental disorders are often fluid. Given the high use of psychotropic drugs, the scientists also direct to the large pharmaceutical companies and urge them to reduce marketing in the field of psychotropic drugs. At the same time, those affected should have faster access to psychotherapeutic services, according to the experts of the RUB. (Fp)