Medication becoming go-to for depression and anxiety
But we should be learning how to cope with COVID-19 stress, psychologist says
Prescriptions for medications used to treat mental health conditions are increasing in Canada, and experts believe they’ll continue to rise as Canadians grapple with the uncertainty and anxiety brought on by COVID-19.
“A lot of people have started to experience anxiety and depression, they’re going to a GP and they’re only getting medication,” says Diana Velikonja, president of the Ontario Psychological Association, a licensed clinical neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist. “Medication is becoming the first solution.”
She says that she understands why that’s happening. Many family doctors and nurse practitioners are working virtually and are being confronted with patients who are in distress, whether due to health concerns, financial worries or divorce.
“People are calling in distressed and you want to do something fast for them,” she says, whether that’s an anti-anxiety drug or an antidepressant. “People want something quick, and medication is something you can do right away.”
Plus, many people simply don’t have the funds — or don’t want to wait for in-person or virtual psychological counselling.
Yet they are in need. A recent study by the Conference Board of Canada and the Mental Health Commission, reveals that 84 per cent of Canadians report their mental health concerns have worsened since the beginning of the pandemic.
What’s worse is that prescriptions of drugs to treat mental health issues was already on the rise preCOVID-19 among younger Canadians. New data from Telus’ 2020 Health Drug Data Trends report highlights double-digit increases in eligible claims costs from insured Canadians under the age of 29 in 2019, with the majority of them being medications to treat mental disorders.
“This year’s annual TELUS Health Drug Data Trends and National Benchmarks Report highlights a marked increase in the use of medication for mental health issues, with drugs for depression representing the highest number of claims,” says Jason Kennedy, director, health business consulting for Telus Health. Kennedy attributes the rise to increased awareness of mental health among millennials, along with a decrease in stigma.
“Younger people today are less likely to think they are invincible and more likely to recognize they need help,” says Kennedy.
Velikonja says that while medications may help people get over the hump when it comes to anxiety and depression brought on by the pandemic, use going forward presents a problem.
“This is going to have longterm implications,” she says. “What the concern would be is people thinking this is a long-term solution — believing that mood is something that is externally influenced rather than internally influenced,” she says.
She foresees people with mental health issues will lack the coping skills necessary to manage their mental health conditions.
Plus, there are the side effects of the drugs; many can be addictive, cause insomnia, weight gain or sexual performance problems.
In light of the financial barriers to psychological counselling, as well as wait times, Kennedy feels employers and insurers should offer wellness programs that focus on the emotional and mental well-being of employees. He suggests they ramp up virtual care, which provides remote access to mental health professionals, as well as mental health education, information sessions and access to mental health resources on a regular basis.
Velikonja wants psychological counselling to precede the prescribing of psychiatric medications.
“Medication gives a false sense of security,” she says. “It brings down a bit of mental agitation, but it’s not going to change agitated thinking.”