 |
|
Almost 1 quarter of Spanish women take antidepressants
July 24, 2009Psychopharmaceutical use has risen over recent years. This is fact, but what is not clear is the reason why. Researchers from four Madrid-based health centres have shown that family conflict is not a significant factor. However, the results published in the journal Atención Primaria are striking: in Spain, 24% of women take antidepressants and more than 30% take tranquillisers.
"The use of psychopharmaceuticals is often related to family or work-related problems. We wanted to see if there was actually a positive link between the consumption of antidepressants and benzodiazepines and any kind of family dysfunction", Sonsoles Pérez, lead author of the study published in the renowned journal Atención Primaria, and a doctor at the Las Águilas Health Centre in Madrid, tells SINC.
The authors studied 121 women aged between 25 and 65, using family dysfunction surveys (the Apgar test), and the additive scale used to evaluate social readjustment (SLE). The psychopharmaceuticals analysed were antidepressants and benzodiazepines (anxiolytics such as lorazepam and bromazepam).
"Although one might think that family conflicts lead to greater consumption of psychopharmaceuticals among women, we did not find any such relationship", the researcher says, adding that the use of such drugs depends a lot on the population segment taking them. "Some people with family, work-related or financial problems do not feel able to tackle their problems and fall back on the use of drugs", Pérez points out.
The results show that 24% of women in Spain use antidepressants and 30.6%, benzodiazepines, which are sometimes also used to help people sleep. In 78.6% of cases, these drugs are prescribed in primary health centres. The diagnosis is recorded in the patient's medical records in 64.5% of cases, with the primary causes being depression (11.6%), anxiety (9.9%) and insomnia (3.3%).
The scientists also found that benzodiazepine use increases with age. However, they did not find the same with antidepressant use. "We think that greater training is needed in identifying SLE and family dysfunction, and recording these in patients' records in order to help psychologists, psychiatrists and primary healthcare specialists", Pérez concludes.
How is family conflict measured?
The relationship between the use of psychopharmaceuticals and family dysfunction has not been well studied. In order to gain a better understanding of family impacts on healthcare, and the effects of this illness on the family, the experts use numerical family functioning scales, such as the Apgar family test and the Stressful Life Events scale (SLE).
The first of these, developed in 1978 by Gabriel Smilkstein, allows measurements to be made of the functional health of a family using parameters such as adaptability (family resources for problem solving), participation (cooperation of family members), growth gradient (physical, emotional and social maturity on the basis of mutual support), affection (caring and loving relationships between members of the family group), and resolution (time-sharing and provision of resources to support all members of the family).
SLEs, events that the patient has suffered over the past year, act as triggers causing suffering and stress, and cause emotional problems in the individual and the family, such as the death of a partner, separation, imprisonment, being fired and unemployment. Each event is assigned a score based on its severity of between 100 (the most serious event), and 11 (the least serious). Patients are classified as high risk (with a score of 4,300), mid-risk (300-199), and low risk (less than 199).
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
"Although one might think that family conflicts lead to greater consumption of psychopharmaceuticals among women, we did not find any such relationship", the researcher says, adding that the use of such drugs depends a lot on the population segment taking them. "Some people with family, work-related or financial problems do not feel able to tackle their problems and fall back on the use of drugs", Pérez points out.
The results show that 24% of women in Spain use antidepressants and 30.6%, benzodiazepines, which are sometimes also used to help people sleep. In 78.6% of cases, these drugs are prescribed in primary health centres. The diagnosis is recorded in the patient's medical records in 64.5% of cases, with the primary causes being depression (11.6%), anxiety (9.9%) and insomnia (3.3%).
The scientists also found that benzodiazepine use increases with age. However, they did not find the same with antidepressant use. "We think that greater training is needed in identifying SLE and family dysfunction, and recording these in patients' records in order to help psychologists, psychiatrists and primary healthcare specialists", Pérez concludes.
How is family conflict measured?
The relationship between the use of psychopharmaceuticals and family dysfunction has not been well studied. In order to gain a better understanding of family impacts on healthcare, and the effects of this illness on the family, the experts use numerical family functioning scales, such as the Apgar family test and the Stressful Life Events scale (SLE).
The first of these, developed in 1978 by Gabriel Smilkstein, allows measurements to be made of the functional health of a family using parameters such as adaptability (family resources for problem solving), participation (cooperation of family members), growth gradient (physical, emotional and social maturity on the basis of mutual support), affection (caring and loving relationships between members of the family group), and resolution (time-sharing and provision of resources to support all members of the family).
SLEs, events that the patient has suffered over the past year, act as triggers causing suffering and stress, and cause emotional problems in the individual and the family, such as the death of a partner, separation, imprisonment, being fired and unemployment. Each event is assigned a score based on its severity of between 100 (the most serious event), and 11 (the least serious). Patients are classified as high risk (with a score of 4,300), mid-risk (300-199), and low risk (less than 199).
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
Antidepressants Current Events and Antidepressants News RSSMen leave: Separation and divorce far more common when the wife is the patient
A woman is six times more likely to be separated or divorced soon after a diagnosis of cancer or multiple sclerosis than if a man in the relationship is the patient, according to a study that examined the role gender played in so-called "partner abandonment." The study also found that the longer the marriage the more likely it would remain intact.
Hunting for the Prozac Gene
Prozac works wonders for some depressed people, but not for others. In some cases, patients derive little benefit and at worst, it can lead to bizarre hallucinations and fits of rage.
Why antidepressants don't work for so many
More than half the people who take antidepressants for depression never get relief.
Study reveals an increase in long-term antidepressant drug use
A dramatic rise in antidepressant prescriptions issued by GPs has been caused by a year on year increase in the number of people taking antidepressant drugs on a long-term basis, according to researchers from the University of Southampton.
Popular antidepressant associated with a dramatic increase in suicidal thoughts amongst men
Nortriptyline has been found to cause a ten-fold increase in suicidal thoughts in men when compared to its competitor escitalopram. These findings are published in the open access journal BMC Medicine.
Antidepressant and placebo are equally effective in child pain relief
When used "off-label," the antidepressant amitriptyline works just as well as placebo in treating pain-predominant gastrointestinal disorders in children, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.
Antidepressants: benefit of SNRI is proven
The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) was commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) to investigate whether patients with depression benefit from taking drugs belonging to the selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) drug class.
Worth the effort? Not if you're depressed
New research indicates that decreased cravings for pleasure may be at the root of a core symptom of major depressive disorder. The research is in contrast to the long-held notion that those suffering from depression lack the ability to enjoy rewards, rather than the desire to seek them.
Antidepressants aid electroconvulsive therapy in treating severe depression
Combining antidepressant drugs with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) does a better job of reducing symptoms of severe depression and causes less memory loss than using ECT alone.
Mouse model of Parkinson's reproduces nonmotor symptoms
The classic symptoms of Parkinson's disease involve tremor, stiffness and slow movements. Over the last decade, neurologists have been paying greater attention to non-motor symptoms, such as digestive and sleep problems, loss of sense of smell and depression.
More Antidepressants Current Events and Antidepressants News Articles
 |
Nature Made RX Essentials Anti-Depressants Tablets, 60-Count Tablets by Nature Made Daily Supplement. Tailored to your prescription. Take with: Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, Effexor XR. Provides essential nutrients for people taking antidepressant medication. No artificial flavors. No preservatives. No yeast or gluten. Your prescription drugs are important to your health and will function without this product. RX Essentials are not intended to replace your prescription drugs. However, people taking antidepressents such as SSRIs and SNRIs may benefit from supplementation with the essential nutrients in this product. If you take prescriptions, take RX Essentials. People taking prescription medications may be more likely to have reduced levels of certain nutrients, low nutrient levels may lead to problems down the road. That's why Nature Made examined numerous clinical studies... |
 |
America Fooled: The Truth About Antidepressants, Antipsychotics And How We've Been Deceived by Timothy Scott (Author) America Fooled is the non-sensational, fact-filled story of how Americans have come to believe that depression and other mental problems are caused by chemical imbalances which can be fixed with pills. It reveals how the drug studies used to achieve FDA approval are designed, paid for and written by the drug companies themselves and are purposely deceptive. Part 1 of America Fooled is focused on antidepressants, their effectiveness, and their side effects including the permanent brain damage that results from long-term use about which so few Americans have any knowledge (including those who prescribe and those who take antidepressants). Part 2 deals with the various approaches used throughout history to treat more serious mental problems including the use of antipsychotics. The side... |
 |
Orange Blossom - PURE Incense NEW to Amazon! Burns twice as long as other incense - CORELESS!! nothing to provoke allergies (25-30 sticks) Orange Blossom is a fresh fruity citrus - a natural antidepressant. by PURE Incense Orange Blossom (Citrus and Fresh) Bursting juices of orange come to life with energetic splashes of sweet and juicy true orange zest. Blooming petals of orange flower fragrantly embrace this beautiful creation, giving it depth and complexity, a radiant heady floral. This sun-kissed delight is a combination of fruity citrus adding a tangy aroma to the air. Pure Incense blends its Orange Blossom incense with oil pressed from the skin of the orange fruit. It transports us to the fragrance of an orange grove, with a thick, citrus flavor hanging in the air. This exquisite sensual fragrance of orange blossom is deeply relaxing to the mind, helping to dispel anxiety, increase confidence and create a joyful environment. Orange Blossom is cheering, refreshing, and uplifting, a natural... |
 |
The Anti-Depressant Fact Book: What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Luvox by Peter R. Breggin (Author) By the author of Talking Back to Prozac and Your Drug May Be Your Problem, the answers to over 100 questions about antidepressants. Known as "the Ralph Nader of psychiatry," Dr. Peter Breggin has been the medical expert in countless court cases involving the use or misuse of psychoactive medications. This unusual position has given him unprecedented access to private pharmaceutical research and correspondence files, information from which informs this straight-talking guide to the most prescribed and controversial category of American drugs: antidepressants. From how these drugs work in the brain to how they treat (or don't treat) depression and obsessive-compulsive, panic, and other disorders; from the documented side and withdrawal effects to what every parent needs to know about... |
 |
Amoryn Depression Anxiety Relief (60 Caps) by BioNeurix AMORYN works by increasing the levels of all four of the brain's "feel good" neurotransmitters. By providing an all-natural boost to serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA, the ingredients in AMORYN can help you feel happy, calm, and confident.serotonin levels. As a precursor to serotonin, 5-HTP provides the brain with the "building blocks" needed to produce more serotonin naturally. |
 |
Medicines for Mental Health: The Ultimate Guide to Psychiatric Medication by Kevin Thompson PhD (Author) A finalist in the National Indie Excellence 2008 book awards, this book was written for anyone who suffers from sexual dysfunction, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia (or cares for someone who does). Medicines for Mental Health is the first book to provide detailed and readable information about all psychiatric medications, and other medical treatments, for these mental illnesses. Medicines cuts through jargon, demystifies mental illness, and explains how treatments work. It goes beyond current fads to cover important medications you need to know about, including many that will be new to your doctor. |
 |
Xmood - Reduce stress and anxiety, Elevate your mood by My Natural Relief Xmood is an all-natural herbal antidepressant with clinically proven ingredients to fight mild depression. This safe and effective formula was suggested by Rita Elkins, M.H. in her highly acclaimed book Solving the mild depression Puzzle. The key ingredients include: St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, DHA, Ginkgo Biloba, and Folic Acid. These ingredients are combined with a proprietary blend to help people with mild to moderate mild depression. Many people who take prescription antidepressants are burdened with multiple side effects that can often be more devastating than the mild depression they are trying to treat. Xmood is a non-addictive herbal formula designed to treat mild depression naturally without a prescription. |
 |
Blue Q Anti-Depressants Magnet Set by Blue Q This Blue Q magnet set might be just what your refrigerators' been looking for. Made extra thick to really stick. |
 |
The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and "Addiction" by Joseph Glenmullen (Author) With the FDA's warning that antidepressants may cause agitation, anxiety, hostility, and even violent or suicidal tendencies, these medications are at the forefront of national legal news. Harvard physician Joseph Glenmullen has led the charge to warn the public that antidepressants are overprescribed, underregulated, and, especially, misunderstood in their side and withdrawal effects. Now he offers a solution! More than twenty million Americans -- including over one million teens and children -- take one of today's popular antidepressants, such as Paxil, Zoloft, or Effexor. Dr. Glenmullen recognizes the many benefits of antidepressants and prescribes them to his patients, but he is also committed to warning the public of the dangers associated with overprescription. Dr. Glenmullen's... |
 |
Antidepressant by Lloyd Cole As the title suggests, Lloyd Cole delivers an album that mixes sadness delicately with a revitalizing happiness. His songs meld with an exceptionally sunny day or as the rain pours down outside. He twists forgotten youthful dreams with afterthoughts of Scarlet Johansson. Entwining leaving lovers and the grateful thoughts left behind, Cole is heartbreaking and mending all at once. For over 20 years Lloyd Cole, first with the Commotions then solo, has altered style and approach to music leaving a trail of beautiful albums to which Antidepressant is a proud addition. A cult favorite compared with Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, Nick Cave and Elvis Costello, ColeÂ’s gift as a lyricist is on full display in Â"The Young Idealists,Â"Â"NYC SunshineÂ" and the inside jokiness of ... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |