Trends in service use and treatment for mental disorders in adults throughout Great Britain.
BACKGROUND
Trends in health treatments and outcomes in the general population may be used to monitor achievement of health targets.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate changes in mental health services and treatment in Britain over a 7-year period.


METHODS
National surveys of psychiatric morbidity were completed in 1993 and 2000 in households throughout Great Britain. Standardised interviews were used to establish psychiatric case status and service and treatment utilisation in adults aged 16-64 years.


RESULTS
Use of psychotropic medication doubled in those designated as psychiatric cases. In the non-case-status population antidepressant use rose from 0.16% in 1993 (95% CI 0.07-0.25) to 2.02% in 2000 (95% CI 1.69-2.35). However, the overall prevalence of neurotic and psychotic disorder hardly changed from 1993 to 2000. Use of specialised 'talking treatments'did not increase significantly, except in the non-case group.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with psychotropic medication alone is unlikely to improve the overall mental health of the nation. A policy based almost exclusively on treatment of identified cases should be augmented by preventive approaches.
Brugha
Traolach S
TS
Brandon Mental Health Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK. tsb@le.ac.uk.
Bebbington
Paul E
PE
Singleton
Nicola
N
Melzer
David
D
Jenkins
Rachel
R
Lewis
Glyn
G
Farrell
Michael
M
Bhugra
Dinesh
D
Lee
Alison
A
Meltzer
Howard
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom