HealthBytes from RealAge - Depression

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Depression

More Americans Getting Treated for Depression

NEW YORK, Jan 08 (Reuters Health) - Among people receiving treatment

for depression in the US, the percentage of those on antidepressant

medication has risen dramatically, while fewer are opting for time on the

couch in psychotherapy, according to a new report.

And more people are being treated for depression than ever before, the

study finds, suggesting that the stigma associated with depression may be

declining.

Lead author Dr. Mark Olfson of Columbia University in New York and

colleagues compared trends in outpatient treatment for depression in 1987

and 1997.

In 1987, roughly 7 of every 1,000 people received outpatient treatment

for depression, according to the report in the January 9th issue of The

Journal of the American Medical Association. That number rose to 23 per

1,000 in 1997.

Thirty-seven percent of people being treated for depression in 1987

took antidepressant drugs, compared with nearly 75% in 1997. About 71% of

people being treated for depression in 1987 received psychotherapy, while by

1997 that percentage had fallen to about 60%.

And the percentage of people who received their depression treatment

from doctors increased from about 70% in 1987 to nearly 90% in 1997, the

report indicates.

The researchers also found that more insurers were paying for

depression treatment; 55% of these costs were covered by third-party payers

in 1997, versus 39% in 1987.

" These changes suggest that access to mental health services has

increased and that there has been an increased emphasis on (drug)

treatments, " Olfson and colleagues write.

The introduction of the antidepressant Prozac, or fluoxetine, in 1987

was a major factor behind these trends, the authors note. Prozac and other

drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have fewer side

effects than the previous class of antidepressant drugs, known as

tricyclics. The newer medications have a less complicated dosing regimen,

and are also much less dangerous when taken in overdose.

The last decade also saw a huge increase in the advertising of these

newer medications, the researchers point out, as well as a considerable

amount of media coverage of depression.

" As a result of these developments, the public may have become more

accepting of pharmacologic treatment of depression, " Olfson and colleagues

write.

In the study, the researchers evaluated data from a survey of more

than 32,000 Americans on depression treatment and medication use.

In the US, experts estimate that during any given year, between 5% and

10% of the population experiences major depression, according to the report.

SOURCE: The Journal of the American Medical Association

2002;287:203-209.

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