A new study finds a rise in the prescribing of antidepressants among Canadian youth, but researchers say it’s unclear what’s driving this national increase.
TORONTO -- There has been a steady increase in the prescribing of antidepressants to children and adolescents in Canada, according to new research. in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, analyzed data collected from 2012 to 2016 for youths under 18. Over the five-year period, Calgary researchers found that prescribing of antidepressants in that age group rose by 36 per cent, from 120 per 100,000 to 160 per 100,000people.Co-author Dr.
While the study shows an increase in prescribing of antidepressants, Health Canada has never officially approved the medications for anyone under 18. Some doctors will use a method called off-label to prescribe antidepressants to young people. There also seems to be better mental health literacy among adolescents. “The trend we saw might reflect that,” he says.
Mina Tadrous, a scientist with Women’s College Research Institute in Toronto, says it’s possible that some of the medications are being used for other conditions – such as autism, sleep problems or muscle pain.
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