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Prescriptions of some anti-depressants have rocketed by more than 100% in the last six years as GPs are forced to rely on drugs due to long waiting lists for alternative treatments, it can be revealed.

Analysis of figures by WalesOnline reveal that prescriptions of anti-depressant drugs have risen at two-and-a-half times the rate of the already-rising prescriptions total having soared by 50% to more than four million items in 2012 compared to 2007 – with the total prescription total only 20% higher in the same period.

Mental health charities warned lengthy waiting times for alternatives to drugs were forcing GPs to turn to drugs instead,.

Figures uncovered by WalesOnline show reveal drugs such as mirtazapine, often dispensed under the Zispin brand, soared in a six-year period to 2012 by 105% - to more than 400,000 items in 2012, compared to 195,000 in 2007.

Another drug, sertraline hydrochloride, sometimes dispensed under Zoloft or Lustral brands, have seen the number of prescriptions nearly treble in the same period - rising by 182% from 120,779 items in 2007 to 340,877 in 2012.

Over the course of a decade, the total number of anti-depressant prescriptions have doubled - from just over two million in 2002 to 4,089,673 in 2012.

The Welsh Government said high levels of deprivation and the economic downturn can contribute to more mental health issues, and said the prescription of such drugs was strictly monitored.

But mental health charities expressed alarm at the trend – and called for more action to tackle lengthy waiting time for psychological therapies which could act as an alternative to drugs.

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Ruth Coombs, manager for influence and change at Mind Cymru, said an 105% rise in mirtazapine was “very concerning”.

“If this means more people feel able to come forward and seek help then this is a positive sign,” she said.

“However, it is unlikely to be the only reason and it’s time we examined closely why we are continually seeing such dramatic, persistent year-on-year increases.

“We need to better understand exactly how many people are taking anti-depressants, for how long and whether they are receiving other treatment alongside medication, as recommended in NICE guidance.

“We know that many people struggle to access alternatives to medication, such as talking therapies, and that there is a shortage of alternative therapies in Wales.

“The Welsh Government is currently looking into access to talking treatments, but greater investment in the full range of therapies is also needed, including those available through the medium of Welsh.

“We must remember that while antidepressants can be very effective for some, they are not the solution for everyone and they should never be used as a first-line treatment for mild depression.”

Executive director of Welsh charity Gofal, Ewan Hilton, said: “Although these figures pre-date implementation of the Mental Health Measure, the increase in prescribing rates is nevertheless concerning and indicates an over-reliance on medication.

“A lack of alternative support services and lengthy waiting times for psychological therapies are common complaints in our surveys about people’s experiences of primary mental health services.

“These factors may also leave GPs feeling that they have no option but to prescribe medication.

“With one in four people experiencing mental health problems and the economic climate putting increased pressure on people’s lives it is crucial that patients can access the most appropriate support and treatment in a timely manner.

“We welcome the steps that the Welsh Government and health boards are taking to improve services, but it’s clear that we still have some way to go.”

Dr Charlotte Jones, chair of the General Practitioners Committee in Wales, said: "It is no surprise in this climate that more people are suffering with mental health issues - it certainly reflects the increasing consultations involving mental health and psychological issues that I see day to day all of which have escalated in the last few years.

"I think simply stating that GPs are relying on prescriptions or over prescribing does not reflect the full picture.

"GPs would have love to have access to immediate counselling and other therapeutic psychological therapies (such as CBT [cognitive behavioural therapy]) but sadly it is either not available to all patients or there is inadequate availability of services to access to help the patient.

"There needs to be planning around meeting population needs - the Welsh bibliotherapy scheme is very good but not everybody can read a book nor, when acutely depressed or ill, can they concentrate enough for it to be effective.

"Computerised CBT requires access to a computer and again isn't suitable for everyone - the key is to be able to put in place measures to treat the individual. All too often the only option is a prescription.

"When these distressed patients attend for help we do the best we can for each individual patient and share their frustration that we cannot access a true range of services for their individual needs.

"The doubling of prescription numbers also reflects the fact that many patients now feel able to express their symptoms as in the past there was much stigma around mental health issues.

"However, we must also remember that different classes of these medications are used for conditions other than just mental health conditions as medical evidence advances and this needs to be considered too when looking at these numbers in isolation."

Darren Millar, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, said GPs needed to be responsible with drug prescription.

He said: “The NHS, in general, tends to think about a ‘tablet-only’ strategy. What the Welsh Conservatives want the Welsh Government to do more of is use the recovery method more as well as talking therapies.

“Anti-depressants are not the only answer to the very serious issue of mental health.”

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said depression could be linked to chronic physical illnesses and that deprivation could also contribute to the higher figures.

She said: “In some areas of Wales there is a high burden of such problems. Also, during a recession, debt can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety, to physical and mental health problems such as depression, low self esteem, relationship breakdown, and even to loss of employment, and this can lead to increased levels of mental ill-health.

“GPs use their clinical judgement in determining what course of treatment to prescribe to their patients, based on their individual needs and medical history.

“They are also encouraged to consider alternatives to medication if appropriate. Ultimately, the treatment provided needs to be discussed and agreed between clinicians and patients.”