Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The claim by Elon Musk in an X post that antidepressants were “overprescribed” in the U.S. is inaccurate according to a psychiatrist contacted by Newsweek.”[Elon Musk] is only partly right, Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center Mark Olfson told Newsweek. “In fact, we have a problem with over-prescription and under-prescription of antidepressants.””Some adults who are prescribed antidepressants could have been effectively treated with cognitive behavioral therapy or other evidence- based psychotherapies, without antidepressants, had it been available to them,” Olfson said.”Other adults stay on antidepressants longer than they need to be on them,” he said. “However, it is also true that large numbers of adults with significant depression and anxiety could benefit from antidepressants, but do not receive any treatment for their symptoms.”
Antidepressant Use Increasing in USIn the U.S., around one in every eight adults takes an antidepressant medication, said Olfson, and the use of antidepressants has increased in recent years. During a two-year period between April 2018 and March 2020 there were 29.2 million antidepressant prescriptions in the U.S. That increased to 32.1 million between April 2020 and 2022.The increase is attributed to higher rates of depression in the U.S. population, and an increase in “telemental healthcare,” which has increased the need for antidepressants, as well as providing greater access to them.”There are likely to be multiple reasons why the U.S. leads the world in antidepressant prescribing,” Consultant Psychiatrist and Fellow of the U.K.’s Royal College of Psychiatrists Dr. Paul Keedwell told Newsweek.”One explanation is the observation that it is one of the most competitive and atomized cultures in the world, with high levels of work-related stress,” said Keedwell. “Another is that it has a high level of awareness of mental health problems and an openness to seek help.”Secondly it is one of only two countries in the world that allows antidepressants to be marketed directly to consumers, which inevitably increases pressure on doctors to prescribe.”Finally, there is a suspicion that at least some doctors have a low threshold for prescribing. That means that, in a private system where providers compete with one another, customers can shop around until someone will prescribe for them.”Another issue in the U.S., said Keedwell, is that there is no outright ban on gifts or incentives to physicians.
A stock image shows a depressed man.
A stock image shows a depressed man.
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Under-Prescribing of AntidepressantsDespite the fact that prescriptions for antidepressants as a whole are increasing in the U.S., there is still people missing out on medications that could help them.”We know from household surveys that many U.S. adults with major depression and anxiety disorders, who could benefit from antidepressant treatment are not receiving these medications,” said Olfson.”Although progress has been made in making mental health care more widely available, and attitudinal barriers have started to recede, there are still a large number of adults who are not receiving treatment for depression due to attitudinal, financial, geographic and other barriers.”
