More young people in the UK are being prescribed anti-anxiety medication, a new study has found.
Researchers from the University of Bristol, UK, say there have been increases in incident prescribing of most anxiolytics between 2003 and 2018, particularly in individuals under 25 years.
Writing in the *Journal of General Practice*, the team say the increase may be as a result of GPs better identifying anxiety, increasing severity of symptoms, increasing acceptability of medication, or an earlier unmet need.
While overall incident benzodiazepine prescribing has fallen, prescribing has increased in those aged under 35. The authors also found that in 2017, 44% of benzodiazepine prescriptions were longer than four weeks, which is the NICE recommended maximum.
The researchers warn that some prescribing, such as the use of beta blockers, is not based on robust evidence of effectiveness, while some prescribing, such as for anti-psychotics, may contradict guidelines.
They also write that there is limited evidence on the effect of taking antidepressants long term.
Lead author Dr Charlotte Archer, senior research associate in Primary Care Mental Health Centre for Academic Mental Health (CAMH)/Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) Bristol Medical School, said the increase in new patients starting anxiolytic treatment may reflect better detection of anxiety by GPs.
“The increase in new prescriptions was substantial in those aged 18-34, particularly in recent years, and this may also reflect an earlier unmet need for young adults,” she said.
“It is also important to consider that some of this prescribing is not based on robust evidence of effectiveness and some may contradict guidelines. There is also limited evidence on the effect of taking antidepressants long-term, so there may be unintended harm to those that are being prescribed this medication for a long time.
“The information from this study has allowed us to gain a better understanding of primary care prescribing for anxiety, and how trends have changed over the study period.
“Going forward, we need research to improve our understanding of why we are seeing this increase in prescribing, especially in young adults, and to provide interventions that can reduce the growing reliance on medication for this age group.”
Commenting on the findings, Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Evidence shows that antidepressants can be effective drugs when used appropriately, so this research should not be a cause for alarm – indeed, it is most likely to suggest that more people are seeking medical help for anxiety-related conditions, as well as improvement in the identification and diagnosis of them.
“GPs are highly trained to have open, sensitive and confidential conversations with their patients, and when discussing mental health concerns, they will consider various treatment options based on the unique needs of the patient.
“It’s important to note that this study looked at prescribing rates pre-pandemic, and GPs across the country are reporting increasing presentations of mental health conditions, including anxiety, since the onset of the crisis.
“What we do need to see to improve mental health care for patients is better access to alternative mental health treatments in the community across the country – and for staffing in general practice to be addressed, including increasing numbers of mental health therapists.”
Archer C, MacNeill SJ, Mars B et al. Rise in prescribing for anxiety in UK primary care between 2003 and 2018: a population-based cohort study using Clinical Practice Research Datalink. *British Journal of General Practice* 22 March 2022.
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