Mental health prescriptions rise to 29 million a year!

Last year, there were 29 million perscriptions written for medications used for mental health issues, 60 per cent of these scripts were for anti-depressant medications. Others that were perscribed highly were anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic medications. This information comes from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW) new website and was reported in an article in The Australian.

While these figures indicate that many are seeking help, concerns remain that people may not be recieving adequate pyschological support.

These figures are alarming, however AIHW figures also indicate there has been a 25.7 per cent increase in psychological services in the past five years and a 5 per cent increase in community mental health services, but only a 1.9 per cent increase in medication use. This indicates that mental health policy may be moving in the right direction.

A few important points on Doctors and Medications

Recognise that not all GPs are directly familiar with or have personal knowledge of anxiety except on an academic level.

Medicine is still essentially conservative - there may be other natural options.

Regard your doctor as a person with some specialised training in one particular modality, but not a specialist in ALL areas. Therefore they may have SOME knowledge that is helpful to you, but it is not necessarily the ONLY knowledge you can gain.

Doctors, as people, also have different preferences in the way they practice medicine as well as different approaches. Some may not be interested in emotional problems, preferring a more technical approach. Ask to be referred to another more "listening" doctor if you find this is the case.

Don't be afraid to ask “WHY?”

Recognise that you are paying the doctor to provide a service, which should be delivered to YOUR satisfaction - including providing you with all of the information you require.
There are several doctors now available who have also studied natural therapies. If you would like a more holistic approach, these may be the answer.

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS:
What precisely can I expect the medication to do?
What are the side effects?
How long till the medication takes effect?
How long should I expect to be on medication?
What happens if I choose to come off it?
Are there any precautions I should take? (e.g. avoiding certain foods, operating machinery etc.)

Information provided by Bev Aisbett, Counsellor and Author of several self-help books such as LIVING WITH IT, LIVING IT UP, LETTING IT GO and more....