Lozenges: 1 in 4 people use antidepressants almost daily

 

A Línea Directa report shows that 40% of respondents claim to have psychological disorders, a percentage that rises to 54% in the case of boys and girls aged 18 to 29

Think over. Turning things over and over, without finding a solution.  This habit is behind 40% of the Spanish population's anxiety problems and 30% of depression, with data from a Línia Directa report  which, in addition,  puts on the table something that is already being noticed : the consumption of pills to address these pathologies. With data from the study, which was released this Tuesday, 41% of Spaniards have taken antidepressants at some point and, of them, 1 in 4 consumes them almost daily, with a higher percentage of  women .

The survey was carried out by  Línia Directa Asseguradora  in collaboration with the consulting company MDK to 1,700 citizens with a proportional distribution with quotas by sex, age and autonomous communities. The field work was carried out between September 4 and 8, 2023. The study was carried out with the collaboration of  Ruth Castillo-Gualda , expert in emotional intelligence, and  Juan Ramos-Cejudo , specialist in intervention in anxiety and stress, both  professors at the Faculty of Health of the Camilo José Cela University (UCJC).

Biological predisposition and lived experiences explain, to a certain extent, the appearance of  mental health problems , but what "truly explains the maintenance or worsening of mental illnesses are  the strategies used to regulate what is felt ", point out the authors of the work. In this sense, "rumination" is the main "silent strategy"  that keeps the Spanish population away from welfare , they point out.

Ruminate emotions

Because,  if we talk about emotional well-being,  the report gives new data about our worst mental health every time. For example, that  40% of people claim to have suffered psychological disorders ; a more common problem among young people, with a worrying 54% of boys and girls aged 18 to 29 who admit to having gone through this type of problem.

The most prevalent mental health illnesses in our country are:  anxiety (68%) and depression (51%), followed by mood disorder (29%), suicidal thoughts (12%), eating disorders (12%) and addictions (10%).

There are  gender differences:  while the predominant diseases in men are addictions, behavioral disorders and bipolar disorder; in women it is anxiety, suicidal thoughts and eating disorders.

In the differences by autonomous communities, over a 40% national average, the study places  the Balearic Islands (51%), Catalonia (47%) and Cantabria (45%)  as the regions with the highest percentage of inhabitants who say have gone through mental health problems. Conversely,  Rioja (30%), the Basque Country and Asturias (33%), are the regions with the lowest rates.

plastered

When "rumination" isn't dealt with properly  or emotions aren't managed effectively, more serious mental health problems can emerge,  experts say . And, in this sense, the figures confirm that  there is a direct consequence with the consumption of anxiolytics or antidepressants. More than 14 million Spaniards (41%) have ever taken antidepressants and, of them, 1 in 4 consumes them almost daily,  with a higher percentage of women.

The sale of anxiolytics and antidepressants in pharmacies in Spain has risen by 40% during the last decade and Spain is at the head of Europe in the consumption of psychotropic drugs, this study underlines. Another of the study's conclusions  is that 60% of Spaniards have ever taken  sleeping pills and, again, 1 in 4 consumes them almost daily, with a higher consumption among women.

Professional help

With the data on the table, the authors of the work conclude  that "it is not surprising" that 46% of Spaniards have ever sought help from a professional  for mental health problems, and, of them, 1 in 3 go to a once a month or more on request. Young people aged 18 to 29 are the ones who visit the professionals the most. However, more than half of people with a mental disorder who need treatment do not receive it, they warn. A fact that "certainly influences the fact that 70% of the  Spanish population thinks that mental health is still a taboo".

Loneliness (31%) , the pace of life in big cities (30%) and  addiction to technology  (22%) are the main causes that respondents point to when asked about the increase of this type of disorders