The researchers say a number of factors explain the increasing use of antidepressants. “There has been broad and growing acceptance of antidepressant medicine in the U.S.,” Olfson tells WebMD.
In an unrelated survey released last week, researchers found that American attitudes toward psychiatric medicines are becoming more positive. The researchers compared the responses of people in surveys done in 1998 and 2006.
Other factors explaining the increase, according to Olfson:
Major depression is more common. Two surveys found the prevalence of major depression in adults rose from 3.3% in 1991-1992 to 7.1% in 2001-2002.
Since 1996, several new antidepressants have come on the market.
Clinical guidelines support the use of antidepressants for conditions other than depression, such as anxiety disorders.
The lower increase in antidepressant use among African-Americans may be cultural, Olfson says, with a tendency to embrace psychotherapy over medication. “There is also some evidence that African-Americans as compared to whites have lower rates of depression,” he says. That may be part of the story as well.”