Australia’s use of psychotropic medications has increased by 58% in the past decade despite a population rise of only 13%.
Psychotropic medications act on the brain and are used to control behaviour and mood. They include antidepressants, sedatives, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications.
Researchers says the heavy use of antidepressants may reflect their increasing use for conditions other than depression, ranging from anxiety disorders to pain.
This trend also raises concerns that rising numbers of Australians are requiring drugs to be able to cope with modern life.
Read more at University of Sydney