Depression prescription dissatisfaction

by Kristy Symonds

April 29, 2008

MENTAL healthcare patients have spoken out about the treatment of anxiety and depression, following criticism of the medical profession’s use of anti-depressants by grieving mother of late newsreader Charmaine Dragun.

In an article published in The Australian online on April 28, it was reported that 29-year-old Dragun took her own life three weeks into a course of new medication. The Australian reported the former Western Australian was turned away by her psychiatrist when she expressed concern they were not working.

Dragun’s mother expressed anger at prescribed anti-depressants having an adverse effect on patients, and inadequate supervision of these risks by healthcare professionals.

In response to these concerns eMU News asked local residents and mental health patients for their views on the prescription of anti-depressants.

Karen Jordan, a 39-year-old mother of four from Yangebup, said she’d been on anti-depressants for over 15 years. She was immensely dissatisfied with the level of information and warnings provided with the treatment of depression.

Ms Jordan said in the course of changing to a dramatically higher dosage of her prescribed anti-depressant, Effexor, her GP had not warned her of side-effects. These included persistent nightmares, rising blood pressure and the possibility of feeling worse before feeling better.

She said her daughter alerted her to the risks involved, after researching the drug on the internet.

 “Mental healthcare patients are not adequately informed of the risks and tend to dismiss the possibilities of what can happen,” Ms Jordan said. “There is an obvious shortage of mental health resources and it is not easy for patients to obtain.”

National Figure skating champion, Jane Ashworth, 19, also expressed concern, especially with the lack of information provided about alternative treatments.

Prescribed anti-anxiety medications Diazepam and Luvox for treatment of physical anxiety related to a back injury, Ashworth said her sports doctor failed to explain the need for the medication adequately.

 “Most patients don’t realise that it isn’t just about medication and they are misinformed,” Ashworth said. “It’s also personal.

“You need support and networking as well as a good diet and exercise program.”

Ciarran Riley, 19, who’s struggled with depression for over four years, agrees doctors need to be more informative on alternatives to medication. However, he said that during the course of his illness he has felt adequately informed on the risks in taking medication, and was well cared for.

 “Mentally, I was starting to feel better, but physically I felt sedated,” Mr Riley said. “So, I went back to my psychiatrist and he was quick to change my medication and dosage, and told me to call if I felt anything similar.”

Mr Riley believed many mental healthcare patients may not be well-informed due to the congested emergency mental health clinics.

Attempts by eMU News to obtain a response from over 25 healthcare professionals, went unanswered.