DEPRESSION IS DRIVING KIDS TO DRUGS
Thousands of depression pills were prescribed on the NHS in the UK during the lockdown. But why is this happening?
Depression is driving young children to antidepressants at an alarming rate, according to a study. The prescription rates for pills and drugs to treat depression on NHS have doubled over the years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The outbreak of the coronavirus has made a huge impact on youngsters’ mental health and caused the latest rise in the consumption of antidepressants.
Isolation and the lack of physical activity since the beginning of the rampant are proved to have associations with worsening symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Additionally, concerns about one’s health and of their family decreased social interactions and stress due to online lessons are reasons why young people’s mental health has been going downhill.
A recent study reveals a significant increase in drugs has been issued to under 18-year-olds as a quick solution for mental illnesses.
Thousands of British teenagers, particularly between the age of 13 and 18, are seeking for immediate medications to prevent any more serious and complex issues that may arise.
Dr Stefan Peyton at the University of Cambridge who led the study stated: 'Britons take approximately twice the amount of depression drugs compared to other European countries.
According to the NHS, 96.1 million antidepressant items have been dispensed within England throughout recent years - 31.4 million more than in 2016, when there were 64.7 million.
The data collected also shows an annual rise in the number of antidepressants issued to children, growing from 12,988 in 2016 to 17,094 in 2021.
The study added that patients who suffer from severe depression are increasingly willing to use different types of pills as a quick fix, including Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac and Luvox.
‘Many youngsters find it extremely difficult to cope with being sad, anxious and depressed. Depression can leave them in vulnerable states. They are overwhelmed by the effects of mental illnesses have on them, which results in the increase of drug use.’
‘Their mental problems and desire to feel better are literally driving them to drugs.’, the study claimed.
The research body also found that during the lockdown, loneliness and decreased physical activity can lead to worsening symptoms of depression and poor mental health in general.
Young peers reported either an increase in the frequency of depressive symptoms, to more than half the days in the two-week duration, or a new symptom for at least several days in that time period.
Depressive thoughts can be caused by fear and worry about kids’ own health and of their loved ones (the majority reported), lack of social contact because of social distancing and quarantine (over 85% reported), and e-learning (more than 80% reported).
Specifically, college and university students had experienced deteriorating mental health as a result of disrupted sleeping schedules and inefficient online classes, as most schools lack infrastructure and strategies to teach effectively.
Due to these reasons, the consumption of pills has surged tremendously during the COVID-19 pandemic in Britain.
‘This drugs problem is not being discussed enough. The abuse and overuse of antibiotics is an extremely unhealthy and dangerous coping mechanism and alone cannot cure depression.’, Dr Peyton said.
‘Numerous individuals believe and consider these as ‘magical pills’ that have the ability to make them happy again, which is not entirely true. There have been plenty of overdose cases and those were not even illegal, banned, or street drugs, they have simply prescribed medication.’
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