Similarly,
Antidepressants: why we consume more:
ThoseMental health in Switzerland –
The Romands consume more antidepressants than the Germans
Figures from the health observatory reveal a röstigraben in terms of psychotropic drugs. Consequently, Attempts to explain experts.
The Romands consume on average more psychotropic drugs than the Germans, according to a survey by the obsan.
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- The Romands consume on average more psychotropic drugs than the Germans, according to a survey by the obsan.
- The offer of ambulatory psychiatric care, on which the investigation is concentrated, is more developed in French -speaking Switzerland.
- Experts also mention differences in the prevalence of psychic difficulties, prescription habits and the training of doctors.
- In most cantons, women antidepressants: why we consume more consume more psychotropic drugs than men.
Is the mental health of the Romands more abused than that of the German-speaking? In addition, Do they consult more easily for mental difficulties? Similarly, Do the doctors of the Latin cantons prescribe psychotropic drugs more readily? Moreover, These questions arise in the face of data from the Swiss health survey 2022 of the Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan).
This contains a “intercantonal comparison consumption of sleeping pills. For example, tranquilizers and antidepressantsWhich reveals a demarcation: the French-speaking cantons and Ticino are above the national average, the German cantons, except Basel, are below. However, The differences range from single to double, with 6.8% of the population having taken a psychotropic in the week preceding the survey in Lucerne and 13.3% in Neuchâtel (see our graphic).
How to explain this röstigraben? Therefore, A parameter would be decisive. Therefore, according to Stéphane Cullati, health sociologist: “Unemployment is higher in French -speaking Switzerland and we know that it has consequences on mental health. However, Labor dissatisfaction is also more widespread. Furthermore, This is an element that probably influences the feeling of well-being. Similarly, ”
As such. Nevertheless, the one who teaches at the University of Friborg recalls that, according to a 2017 study, the prevalence of mental health problems is higher in French -speaking Switzerland: 9% against 5.5% in German -speaking Switzerland. “For me, the main explanation is therefore quite clear. The Romands consume more psychotropic drugs because they need them anymore. ”
Same reasoning for women. who are about twice more affected by anxiety disorders that men, and who consume more antidepressants: why we consume more psychotropic drugs, according to the 2022 survey of L’Obsan.
Antidepressants: why we consume more
Better supervise psychotropic drugs
Do the Romands also go to the doctor more easily? “A priori no,” replied Séverine Crettol Wavre, of the pharmacogenetics unit and clinical psychopharmacology of the CHUV, in Lausanne. Obsan data on the volume of psychiatric services rather show a city-campaign cleavage linked to the density of the. care offer. ”
According to her. the reasons for this ditch are rather to be found on the side of the training of doctors, prescription habits and various cantonal care offers. “Obsan data only cover the ambulatory field, which is much more developed in French -speaking Switzerland with regard to psychiatry.” Swiss addiction spokesperson. Markus Bériy confirms: “In German-speaking Switzerland, care for mental disorders is more in the residential field, antidepressants: why we consume more which is not taken into account here.”
Responsible for the ethical dicastery of the Swiss Society of Addiction Medicine. Olivier Simon evokes prescriptions: “Although they are supervised by the agency responsible for approving drugs, they also depend on socio -cultural sensitivities, both on the side of patients and prescribers and health authorities.”
Does this mean that, in this area, everyone does what they want a bit? “Faced with individual cases. the absence of robust studies accentuates the differences in assessment of profits and risks,” continues this specialist in regulatory issues linked to psychoactive substances. It is therefore essential to amplify efforts in terms of research, awareness of professionals and early detection of problematic prescriptions. ”
Caution with this röstigraben
If they admit that this Röstigraben cannot antidepressants: why we consume more be due to chance, several specialists invite caution. “To make comparisons between the cantons. it would be necessary to take into account the structure of the population, for example the curve of ages and the socio-economic aspects,” says Nicolas Bertholet, chief physician in the Department of Psychiatry of CHUV. As it stands. the interest of this data is for example to indicate to the cantons what resources they can allocate to certain issues. ”
Séverine Crettol Wavre also notes that this Obsan report is based on a questionnaire asking the participants if they consumed “at least a sleeping pill. tranquilizer or antidepressant during the week before the investigation”. “Do not distinguish between these three classes of drugs weakens the study a little. The fact that the sample of participants is quite modest also causes significant margins of error. Thus, some cantons may be closer antidepressants: why we consume more than they seem. ”
To deepen, it is possible to turn to another Docu de l’Obsan: the Atlas of the Health Services. It also deals with the consumption of benzodiazepines. antidepressants, but based on the invoicing of various care providers, only ambulatory.
Again, the results are “partially biased” because ambulatory care is more available in Latin Switzerland. Despite everything, the conclusions are the same: the Romands consume more psychotropic drugs than the Germans. Note that, for benzodiazepines, Ticino in mind, possibly due to its elderly population. For antidepressants, the general trend is confirmed and Basel invites itself on the podium, behind Neuchâtel and Geneva.
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Antidepressants: why we consume more
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