GPs ‘turning us into a nation of pill poppers’

GPs are 46 times more likely to prescribe medication for depression and other mental illnesses instead of other medically proven alternatives such as exercise, research has found.

The reliance on prescription medication comes as the study, commissioned by the charity Nuffield Health, indicates that mental illness is on the rise.

A survey of 2,000 people showed that 44 per cent experienced symptoms of anxiety regularly — up by a third since the recession began five years ago. The research suggests that the number of people experiencing low mood, an early indicator of depression, has also increased, jumping from 31 per cent to 39 per cent.

The study found that only 1 per cent of those who visited their GP were told to exercise to alleviate low mood or anxiety, compared with 46 per cent who were prescribed anti-depressants.

Dr Davina Deniszczyc , the medical director of Nuffield Health, said the trend indicated a “ticking mental-health time bomb in the UK’’.

“The compelling evidence that physical activity can play an important role in both treating and alleviating early symptoms of mental ill health isn’t sufficiently filtering through to front-line and primary care services,” she said.

“Nuffield Health is calling for all GPs to treat mental health as they would any other condition that can benefit from treatment with exercise — like chronic heart disease, diabetes and obesity.”

The push for less reliance on anti-depressants is supported by those surveyed, with only 4 per cent saying they would prefer to be prescribed medication over exercise, if given the choice.

The study also showed 76 per cent of those surveyed thought exercise lifted their mood and 72 per cent were aware it was clinically proven to manage moderate anxiety or low mood.

Beth Murphy, the head of information at Mind, the mental health charity, said prescription drugs were often used because there were long waits for talking therapies.

“Mind has found that people who do regular exercise or take part in eco-therapy activities such as gardening can improve their mental well-being and reduce feelings of depression,’’ she said.

“We urge health professionals to take alternatives such as exercise seriously and consider a range of treatments that offer more choice for individuals.’’

Almost half (46 per cent) of those surveyed said financial worries were a key contributor to low mood; 43 per cent of respondents identified family issues, while 36 per cent said problems at work played a role. Only 8 per cent said ill health affected their mood.

It comes a week after a report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, in partnership with Simply Health, revealed that mental health problems and stress were rising among staff, as reduced workforces made heavier demands on their time.

The number of organisations reporting an increase in workers suffering from mental illness has doubled over three years to 42 per cent.

The report identified volume of work as the biggest cause of stress, followed by management style.

Source The Telegraph