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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by dj on March 29, 2001, at 14:12:34
Visits to MDs for depression up 36%
- 7.8 million consultations in 2000 as illness loses its stigma and drugs lose side effects
Heather Sokoloff
National PostCanadians go to the doctor for depression more often than for any other ailment except high blood pressure, according to a report released yesterday.
Depression is the fastest-growing reason Canadians go to a physician, according to statistics released by IMS Health, an independent Montreal-based organization that tracks drug sales.
Its examination of annual prescription drug trends across the country indicate doctor visits for depression have jumped 36% in the past five years.
Doctors say more Canadians are seeking treatment for depression today because it no longer carries the stigma it did a 10 years ago.
"It used to be thought, if someone was depressed they showed a lack of psychological strength," said Dr. Pierre Bleau, a psychiatrist with the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal.
The survey results are no surprise to doctors like Dr. Bleau, who said the same number of people have probably always experienced depression: He estimated between 10% and 20% of Canadians experience it.
The difference now, according to Dr. Bleau, is that people are more willing to talk about depression because celebrities such as actor Drew Carey and television journalist Mike Wallace have publicly discussed their battles with the disorder.
The IMS Health study found Canadians had 7.8 million medical consultations for depression in 2000, up from 5.7 million in 1995, putting the disorder ahead of diabetes, acute respiratory infections, anxiety, ear infections, bronchitis and asthma among reasons for doctor's visits.
High blood pressure continues to be the No. 1 reason Canadians see a doctor, with more than 16 million visits last year. In 1995, depression was the fourth-ranked reason to see a doctor.
The figures also indicate a 63% increase in the number of prescriptions filled to treat depressive disorders since 1996, increasing at an average rate of 13% a year.
The report also found that Canadians bought nearly 291 million prescriptions last year, costing $11-billion. Canada is the seventh-largest market for pharmaceutical sales in the world. In 2000, Canadian sales averaged about nine prescriptions per person, with an approximate cost of $35.48 per prescription.
Psychotherapeutics, including antidepressants, were the second most frequently dispensed class of drug last year, behind cardiovascular drugs. The fastest growth in sales was anti-arthritics, which outpaced all other drugs with a 23% increase.
Treatments for depression have improved, say doctors, who are more willing to prescribe new drugs that have fewer side effects than treatments 20 years ago that left patients with dry mouths, insomnia, and a reduced sex drive.
"Family physicians are more aware, and have become attuned to detecting depression in their patients," said Robert Cooke, head psychiatrist at the depression clinic at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Drug companies, doctors say, have also aggressively promoted their products. The antidepressant drug Paxil is now the eighth most prescribed drug in Canada, with more than three million prescriptions in 2000, up 19% from 1999, according to the report.
Dr. Cooke said some patients may be taking medication they do not need. "They are not getting the chance to consider some alternative treatment that might be just as good for them." Still, doctors say far more people remain undiagnosed and untreated for the disease.
"Even though it sounds striking that we have this big raise in the number of consultations, from my understanding this is an improvement. Depression is not a trivial thing. It needs a good evaluation and good treatment," said Dr. Bleau, adding the suicide rate for patients with depression is 20%.
The IMS Health report found almost half of those seeking treatment for depression are aged 40-59, while 31% are aged 20-39.
Doctors say many in these groups must deal with the combined pressures of young children and ageing parents. This is also an age group that is susceptible to life-threatening diseases, and doctors say a diagnosis of cancer can also lead to a case of depression.
Among seniors who outlive friends and relatives, the risk for depression is high, said Barry Hall, vice-president of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.
Among the other findings, the Canadian market was the second-fastest growing, with a 16% increase over 1999 sales. Only Mexico grew at a faster rate.
In terms of sales, Losec, a drug for peptic ulcers, remained Canada's top-selling drug last year. It is also the world's best-selling drug. The most commonly dispensed drug in Canada in 2000 was Synthroid, which treats hypothyroidism.
Posted by stjames on March 29, 2001, at 15:38:08
In reply to Visits to MDs for depression up 36%, posted by dj on March 29, 2001, at 14:12:34
> Visits to MDs for depression up 36%
>
> - 7.8 million consultations in 2000 as illness loses its stigma and drugs lose side effects
>
>
> Heather Sokoloff
> National PostJames here....
I wonder if they are running TV ads for AD's like they are here in the states ?
James
Posted by mila on March 29, 2001, at 20:22:26
In reply to Re: Visits to MDs for depression up 36%, posted by stjames on March 29, 2001, at 15:38:08
>
> I wonder if they are running TV ads for AD's like they are here in the states ?
>
> Jamesno, not many. I wish they did, though, then I wouldn't have lost to depression the past ten years of my life. my experience with psychiatrists in Montreal btw was so bad (they let my friend with major suicidal depression and hallucination out of hospital, next day she killed herself), I refused to see one till we moved to Toronto. Even here, I find that family doctors are better, especialy the younger generation, than the psychiatrists. weird but true. they are truly compassionate,listen better, are better educated, and cooperate with the patients.
mila
Posted by Dubya on March 30, 2001, at 0:31:04
In reply to Re: Visits to MDs for depression up 36%, posted by mila on March 29, 2001, at 20:22:26
Actually, we get the "US" Ads on our TVs in Canada but, very few of them like WELLBUTRIN, PAXIL, SARAFEM, PROZAC.
Depression has ruined my life or perhaps I have LET IT ruin my life. Depression has been created by my on-going anxieties (i.e. social, stress, fear). MY psychiatrist is west of Toronto, he is okay, he's like 50-60yrs old, my 'new' family doc is of a younger gen, about 35-45yrs, he is very flexible and wanting to help me out but, he is supposedly restricted by the psychiatrist's report of dosage.
HEy sorry to hear the bad news about the female friend of yours, that isn't fair of the health system to let that happen.
Posted by willow on March 30, 2001, at 20:49:59
In reply to Re: Visits to MDs for depression up 36%, posted by Dubya on March 30, 2001, at 0:31:04
I had finally switched family doctors about 18 months ago and it was the best thing I ever did. My new doctor is probably in his early thirties and it is his first "family practice." He's not scared to mention the psychological aspects of my illness or to discuss medications etc. The previous doctor treated me like a "child." Gees, I give my children more information than he gave me. I find the unkown causes more anxiety than knowing. I've only seen the one psychiatrist here in Ontario and I'd prefer to pay to see a psychologist than go see him or any other.
Hopefully with each generation we will become a better society. With the article DJ posted I do believe it is an example of this happening!
PS Welcome back DJ missed you!
Posted by Janice1 on March 30, 2001, at 22:07:21
In reply to Visits to MDs for depression up 36%, posted by dj on March 29, 2001, at 14:12:34
Hi dj,
Thanks for posting this. I saw it on the newspaper the other day, but didn't have time to read it.
This is what surprised me:
Canada is the seventh-largest market for pharmaceutical sales in the world.
Does this mean that Canada ranks #7 in the world for consumption of pharmaceutical medications! Our population is not very large!
Another surprising thing is all my GTA neighbours out there. We could branch out and form our own little pill-popping, in-person, self-help group.
>
Maybe it is the circles I run in, but I am not surprised at all by the lack of stigma towards depression. Very recently one of my bosses maturely and kindly suggested to one of my colleagues that he may want to get some help with his moods. (trust me, he needed it). Everyone in the department knew about his erratic behaviour and his going to the psychiatrist, and they were all supportive (both to his face and behind his back).
dj, did you get booted off again? You've been so good lately.thanks again,
Janice
Posted by Janice1 on March 30, 2001, at 22:16:24
In reply to Younger doctors ..., posted by willow on March 30, 2001, at 20:49:59
I just got a new doctor recently, and she introduced herself to me as Samantha. That's it, Samantha. Not having a formal bone in my body, I have to say I liked it. And this got me wondering why it is that doctor's call themselves doctors anyways.
About 10 years ago, I asked a doctor friend of mine about this, and if I remember correctly (which I often don't), he said something like, 'so people will listen to you'. He was European, and I have a hard time believing North Americans only listen to people with a title.
Anybody know, or want to take a guess?
Janice
Posted by dj on March 30, 2001, at 22:51:05
In reply to Re: Visits to MDs for depression up 36%, posted by Janice1 on March 30, 2001, at 22:07:21
> dj, did you get booted off again? You've been so good lately.
Willow - Thanks, nice to be back.
Janice,
Nice to see you visiting. Interesting article, eh!
I was put in the penalty box for a one week cooling off period. Minor cheekiness... : ) Dr. Bob was very good about it.
dj
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