An interesting statistic from the US, with a population of more than 300 million, is that more than 20 per cent of Americans are on at least one psychiatric drug.
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In 2016, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that four million Australians were on psychiatric drugs.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is Australia’s drug regulatory agency. Since 1995, it has issued more than 60 warnings on psychiatric drugs, with 230-plus warnings issued by international governments. According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, significant side effects can include: hallucinations; loss of co-ordination; increased blood pressure; agitation; akathisia (the inability to remain motionless) and aggression; life-threatening heart problems; addiction; depression; psychosis; suicidal ideation and possible death.
Although antidepressant use for depression in under 18 year olds is not approved in Australia, medical practitioners do prescribe them off-label (used for conditions a drug is not approved for) with no approval or oversight, as noted in the Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin 2005.
As reported by Sane Australia 2017, common psychiatric medications include: antidepressants, which account for 69 per cent of all mental health-related prescriptions; anxiolytics, also known as tranquilisers or anti-anxieties; antipsychotics, used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; mood stabilisers, mainly lithium and anticonvulsants; sedative-hypnotics, also known as sleeping pills; and stimulants, used to treat disorders from attention-deficit disorder to narcolepsy.
Psychiatric medicines play an important role in the treatment and management of mental illness. They are usually non-addictive, as they do not create a dependency. They can have positive effects, although it can take four to six weeks or more for results to be seen. This also depends on getting the dosage correct and or finding the right medication, which may take a couple attempts.
As there are many psychiatric medicines on the market, if one does not work this does not mean others won’t. Psychiatric medicines also work by taking them continually. People should not stop taking them once they feel better, as this can cause a relapse. Self-regulation is also not recommended, as taking a psychiatric medicine one day, skipping a day or two and then taking them again, reduces the chances of that medication providing the desired result.
St Vincent’s Mental Health in Melbourne even puts out psychiatric medication that in part reads: “Medications are used not just to help get you well, but also to keep you well. Each drug has advantages and disadvantages. Some work faster than other. Some remain in the bloodstream longer. Some require several doses daily, others need to be taken only once a day. Potential side effects should be discussed before medication therapy begins. Knowing what to expect prevents unnecessary concern and alerts you to the kind of reactions that should be reported right away.”
The debate on the use of psychiatric medicines has seen far too much resentment and far too little co-operation among providers, families and disaffected users with the posture that there must be one right answer.
The debate on the use of psychiatric medicines has seen far too much resentment and far too little co-operation.
In a report by Psychology Today in 2016, Dr Allen J Frances, said proper treatment must always be selective and customised to individual needs. There is no one-size-fits-all. Psychiatric medicines that may be essential for the few are harmful when overused by the many.
Virgil Stucker, founding chairman of the Foundation for Mental Health Excellence and founding executive director of the CooperRiis Healing Community, sums up the use of psychiatric medicines by saying: “During most of these past 40 years, I have lived in therapeutic communities, in close day-to-day contact with people who have severe mental illness. I have seen psychiatric medication save lives and I have seen it harm lives.”
If you have questions about a treatment plan you are on, consult with your medical practitioner as there are alternatives.
If you need help, phone SANE Helpline 1800 187 263, Beyond Blue 1300 224 636, Health Direct 1800 022 222 or Lifeline 13 11 14.
Anthony Perrone is college counsellor at Trinity Anglican College. The views expressed are Dr Perrone's and not necessarily those of Trinity Anglican College. Got a question for the counsellor? Email: kate.benson@fairfaxmedia.com.au
