Doc: Antidepressant surge during pandemic ‘not surprising’
KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) — A new University of Michigan study says antidepressant prescription rates surged among girls during the pandemic.
The rate increased 130% faster for 12 to 17-year-olds and 60% faster for 18 to 25-year-olds after March of 2020.
Dr. Bibhas Singla, a psychiatrist and medical director with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, said clinicians are still seeing the psychological impacts of the virus response.
“I think being removed from the usual supports and the life things that adolescents do, which is school and which is like get-togethers and things like that, had a disproportionately high effect on the adolescents, especially the females,” Singla said.
U-M study: Antidepressant rates among girls ‘surged’ during pandemic
“The study does not surprise me at all. We are seeing the same trends here played out in West Michigan as well,” Singla said.
Dr. Singla said while returning to a pre-pandemic routine was challenging for everyone, it was especially difficult for children.
“An adolescent is an age group where society and social recognition and all those connections with their friend groups are so much more important to their identity or as they are forming their identity so I think the COVID-19 pandemic did have a disproportionate effect on kids,” Singla said.
Pine Rest said it is important to do a full evaluation of a child before determining if an antidepressant prescription is necessary.
“We do not want to necessarily jump to an antidepressant prescription for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression because we want to get to the bottom of what is driving those symptoms. Is it something in their family? Is it something in their school?” Singla explained.
Pine Rest will soon break ground on a new Pediatric Behavioral Health Center that looks to provide additional services for children.
“Of course there will be an expansion of outpatient services, therapy services as well as our inpatient services so that we can continue to meet the needs, continue to care for our kids,” Singla said.
Dr. Singla said more research is needed to look into why prescription rates were higher among girls but said factors like having more access to care could have added to the higher rate.
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