Depression prescriptions soar by 10,000 inside last decade

Published on Monday 9 February 2009 09:14

THE number of people prescribed anti-depressants in Edinburgh has soared by 10,000 in less than a decade.

Figures from the Scottish Public Health Observatory today show more than 35,000 people in the city received a prescription in the last year – around one in 12 of the population.

It has sparked a debate on whether or not drugs are the best remedy for depression.

What is also shown is the increased likelihood of people in deprived areas suffering from depression compared to those in wealthier parts.

The worst city district is Clovenstone and Dumbryden – which makes up part of Wester Hailes – where 793 people were put on anti-depressant, anxiety or psychosis drugs in the last year.

Areas also badly affected by depression are West Pilton (778), Muirhouse (684) and Waterfront and Granton (616). In 1999, these areas were clocking up around half of those figures, contributing to a large city-wide rise.

In contrast, in more salubrious zones such as Cramond (140), Barnton and Cammo (159), Currie East (176) and the Braids (180), the problem appears to be far less.

There is dispute as to whether the increase indicates more cases of depression, an improved diagnosis rate of the illness or doctors being too quick to put people on to a course of medication rather than other therapies.

Charlie McMillan, director of health and change for the Scottish Association of Mental Health, said: "These figures have been increasing for some time, although the rate of increase is coming down.

"People are more prepared to talk now about how they feel and seek help, which is a good thing. Anti-depressants do work for some people, but at the same time that is what is there to use. There are some people who would benefit from other methods like talking to someone or fitness regimes, but the access to them isn't there."

Douglas Blackwood, a professor in psychiatric genetics at Edinburgh University, said the rise in prescriptions was a good thing.

"It shows that depression is being taken a great deal more seriously now than it was," he said. "There is a lot of debate about anti-depressants, but medical evidence does show that they are a pretty good method of treatment."

Prof Blackwood added that people's mental health wasn't necessarily linked with poverty.

"Many types are completely independent of people's living standards," he said. "But there are some, perhaps lower level depressions, which are linked."

Margaret Watt, chairwoman of the Scotland Patients Association, said: "These figures will only get worse as the recession bites, and it's no surprise people who have money problems are more likely to be depressed."