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May 27, 2012
Antidepressant use climbs in Sweden
Published: 31 Mar 11 15:43 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/32938/20110331/
Prescriptions of antidepressants continue to rise in Sweden, according to new statistics from the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen).
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The board has meanwhile developed new guidelines to encourage therapy in order to the tackle the condition, although they have not yet had an impact on healthcare statistics.
The statistics show that more than 500,000 women and 257,000 men were given antidepressant medication in 2010. In 2009, the equivalent figures were 490,000 and 250,000. Representing an increase of two percent across the board.
The number of daily doses of prescription medication increased for women by 3.7 percent, from 159-165 million, and for men by 4.3 percent, from 84-88 million.
The welfare board is not surprised at the increase.
The board aims to cut the prescription of antidepressants in the longer term, but there is little prospect of this in the short term as it will take time for the new guidelines to take effect.
"Already when we made the proposal, most experts agreed that this would take time. The challenge is to develop competence across the country and this takes a long time, several years," said Lena Weilandt at the welfare board.
"That an effect would be registered now was not to be expected," she said.
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I took up more 'physical' activity like carpentry, bread-making and playing the banjo. More than this, I tried to create a 'parallel universe' through creating images in my paintings - can escape into it!
Maybe this is all 'fag packet' philosophy to some but it worked for me.
Am always struck by the contrast between the 'successful' society Sweden is (on the surface) and indicators to the contrary posed by increased anti-depressant use.
Plus in Sweden you need prescriptions for what are over the counter medicines elsewhere.
and johny1939 - i agree with you that theres always a necessary investment in making a friend anywhere, but you havent lived in asia, africa or latin america - or even the united states if you say other people are not more riveting or charming or easier to make friends with. even the uk is much better than sweden in this respect. it is most likely because they are much more interesting than swedes who are constantly stressed about things.