According to a new study there is increased usage of antidepressants rather going to psychotherapy among most foreigners. Researchers in the US have compared how people's treatment for depression changed from 1985 to 1999.
The rate of outpatient treatment for depression increased from 1 per 100 persons to 2.5 per 100 over this time.The proportion of those receiving drug treatment for depression increased from 30 per cent to 70 per cent - probably due to the introduction of new antidepressants with fewer side effects.By contrast the number of patients receiving psychotherapy for depression declined from 60 per cent to 50 per cent. Physicians now seem to be more involved in depression treatment .This may be the reason why medication is being preferred over psychotherapy - physicians may feel more confident giving out a prescription than offering therapy. This is acceptable so long as people get better, but more effort could perhaps be made to give patients a choice of treatments for depression.
