Over prescribing to elders /Psychiatrists- Mad in America

A new study that will soon be published in General Hospital Psychiatry found that many older adults who take antidepressants are also prescribed multiple other medications simultaneously, known as polypharmacy. In fact, the study showed that 73% of these older adults were prescribed multiple medications. Additionally, more than half of these patients were prescribed other drugs that could potentially cause problems when combined with their antidepressants, referred to as potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs).

The researchers also found that certain factors made it more likely for an older adult to be prescribed multiple medications, such as being older, unmarried, living in a rural area, having a non-western background, or having physical illnesses. However, having a history of using antidepressants or having a psychiatric diagnosis did not necessarily make it more likely for someone to be prescribed multiple medications.

This study highlights the importance of being aware of the potential risks of polypharmacy, especially in older adults, and the need for healthcare providers to consider the medications they prescribe to their patients carefully. The authors explain:

“A high prevalence of concurrent use of polypharmacy with antidepressants and PIMs with antidepressants was observed with a proportion of 73% and 56%, respectively. Socially disadvantaged and physically and mentally vulnerable older adults appeared more likely to have polypharmacy and PIMs use with antidepressants.”

Alarming Overprescription Patterns for Older Adults on Antidepressants

I can attest to this as an elder and the pushing owww.madinamerica.com/2023/03/alarming-overprescription-patterns-for-older-adults-on-antidepressants/

Author: GreatCosmicMothersUnited

I have joined with many parents affected with the surreal , yet accepted issue of child abuse via Pathogenic Parenting / Domestic abuse. As a survivor of Domestic Abuse, denial abounded that 3 sons were not affected. In my desire to be family to those who have found me lacking . As a survivor of psychiatric abuse, therapist who abused also and toxic prescribed medications took me to hell on earth with few moments of heaven. I will share my life, my experiences and my studies and research.. I will talk to small circles and I will council ; as targeted parents , grandparents , aunts , uncles etc. , are denied contact with a child for reasons that serve the abuser ...further abusing the child. I grasp the trauma and I have looked at the lost connection to a higher power.. I grasp when one is accustomed to privilege, equality can feel like discrimination.. Shame and affluence silences a lot of facts , truths that have been labeled "negative". It is about liberation of the soul from projections of a alienator , and abuser .. View all posts by GreatCosmicMothersUnited