For millions across the United Kingdom, starting the day with a life-saving pill is a daily reality. New research now indicates the fastest-growing group relying on these medications are young people, with long-term use surging alarmingly.
Study Reveals Startling Surge in Youth Prescriptions
A major study by researchers from the University of South Australia has uncovered a dramatic shift in antidepressant use. Analysing dispensing data from a scheme covering over 300,000 users between 2014 and 2023, the findings are stark. Published in the Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Journal, the paper reports the prevalence of long-term antidepressant use in people aged 10 to 24 rose by a staggering 110 per cent.
Perhaps more concerning is that 45 per cent of young people on antidepressants are staying on them for more than the recommended 12 months. This trend of long-term use, defined as continuous treatment for over a year, increased markedly across all age groups.
A Critical Shift and a 'Catch-22' Situation
Lead author Dr Lasantha Ranwala stated the findings highlight a critical change in how these drugs are used, raising serious concerns about 'potential overprescribing' by GPs. "Not only are more people taking antidepressants, but once they start, they are staying on them for longer," Dr Ranwala said.
He warned this poses particular problems for younger groups, where clinical guidelines typically recommend psychological therapies as the first treatment. The research identified several drivers for this youth trend, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and significant difficulties in accessing talking therapies.
Dr Ranwala also highlighted a dangerous cycle: "While antidepressants play a role in managing moderate to severe depression, prolonged use can increase the risk of side effects and make withdrawal more difficult." He noted that withdrawal symptoms are often mistaken for a return of the original condition, potentially extending treatment unnecessarily and trapping patients in a clinical 'Catch-22'.
Urgent Call for a Stronger National Framework
Across the whole population, long-term antidepressant use grew from 66 to nearly 85 users per 1,000 people between 2014 and 2022, stabilising slightly in 2023. The study also found women recorded significantly higher use than men throughout the period.
Alarmingly, the research showed no meaningful improvement in efforts to help people reduce their dosage. The proportion of long-term users placed on a lower dose remained virtually unchanged over the decade – 17.9 per cent in 2014 compared with 17.8 per cent in 2023.
Professor Libby Roughead, Director of the Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre at UniSA, said the rise in long-term use among young people demands urgent attention. "The UK needs a stronger framework for safely tapering antidepressants, along with better access to psychological care," Professor Roughead urged, calling for immediate policy action to address this growing public health concern.
