October, 2007
For depression, psychiatrists choose antidepressants first
Current Psychiatry
Psychiatrists consider antidepressants first-choice treatment for depression and believe gender strongly influences whether patients seek treatment for the disorder, Epocrates survey findings suggest.
The online physician reference company polled more than 350 psychiatrists on various specialty-related topics, including depression treatment. The findings show:
• Psychiatrists view pharmacotherapy as the most effective treatment for depression and anxiety, followed by electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy, and group therapy.
• 85% of psychiatrists consider proven effectiveness before prescribing an antidepressant. By contrast, 57% said they consider potential for drug interactions, followed by ineffectiveness of previous medications (46%), the drug’s cost (28%), and whether the patient’s insurer covers the medication (28%).
• 97% believe women are more likely than men to seek treatment for depression. Roughly 30% said they are less likely to discuss depression with men than with women.
In response to questions on other psychiatric issues:
• 95% of psychiatrists support the Mental Health Parity Act.
• 77% believe societal pressures to be thin have increased prevalence of eating disorders among pre-teens and homosexual men. Other cited causes include obsession with thin celebrities (51%), increased awareness of treatment options (35%), and fear of becoming obese (24%).
*75% believe media coverage of events such as the Virginia Tech shootings incites copycat crimes.
View "For depression, psychiatrists choose antidepressants first" article.
CONTACT: Erica Sniad Morgenstern Epocrates Public Relations PHONE: (650) 227-6907 E-MAIL: pr@epocrates.com WEB: www.epocrates.com