A vote in Brexit could have precipitated an increase in the use of antidepressants in the UK

The number of antidepressants prescribed to patients in England has increased since the UK voted in favor of the release of the European Union in 2016.

A new study found that the use of drugs such as Prozac has increased by more than 13% compared to other drugs since the referendum. Researchers have linked the increase in use of antidepressants to the uncertainty of many of them about the future of the country.

The use of antidepressants is increasing in the United Kingdom

Researchers from King's College London and Harvard University investigated the effects of the UK's leaving the European Union to the mental health of the country's citizens. The team reviewed antidepressant prescription registrations from 2011 to 2016 and compared them to data on other drugs unlikely to affect feelings of uncertainty or depression.

Although both categories experienced an increase each year before the referendum, researchers found that the number of antidepressant prescriptions continued to increase since 2016, while the use of 39, other drugs had decreased. The results were published in the journal BMJ.

"But in the month following the referendum, the DDDs for antidepressants continued to increase, but at a slower pace, but those of other drugs declined after experiencing a period of growth," he said. Sotiris Vandoros of King's College London. the study, said the Huffington Post.

The only exception is the prescription of muscle relaxants, which is already declining.

People regret the vote on Brexit?

Vandoros warned that the study was observational and therefore could not confirm that Brexit had caused increased use of antidepressants in England, nor revealed an increase in the number of people suffering from depression. Their findings are open to interpretation, but researchers believe the referendum may have triggered the increase.

David Cummins, a lecturer from the University of Salford who is not involved in the study, added that Brexit and depression are two very complicated topics. He admitted, however, that there were many concerns about austerity.

Experts cautioned against the negative economic consequences of Brexit in the UK, including rising prices and temporary disruption of food supplies.

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