Consumer Use of Non-prescription Medicines or Antidepressant Use in the Community

Synopsis

People who experienced depression need medical attention such as psychological treatment and antidepressant medication. More often, people that having the illness of depression took or use some non-prescription medicines in order to overcome their symptoms which can be resulted from addiction if improperly used. However, if people combined their medication with learning the greatest benefit will be achieved.

Research Objectives

There are two main objectives that the study identified. First, the study aims to provide awareness about the use of non-prescription medicines or antidepressants. This involves the issue of using the medicines with the right knowledge and right medication. Second, the study aims to set another thrust for the promotion of innovative healthcare program such as leaflets or commercial pertaining to the idea of using the antidepressants and other non-prescribed medicines.

Background of the Study

Most of the prescription and non-prescription medicines were written in the leaflets that explains how the medicine works, how to take it, the common side effects, and the potential interactions. In this way, the consumers gather the idea about the medicines even if they did not seek the doctor’s help. Many people, in all over the world, suffer from depression. As part of the aspect of life, depression makes it difficult for people to perform their normal activities. People who are involved in this scenario may not seek help but getting help and not avoiding may help the person recover fast and avoid the other consequences. The mild depression can be treated by gaining knowledge about the phase of depression and taking psychological treatment through the usage of antidepressant medication (Wood and Fogg, 2008).

Within the community, there are high rates of reported prevalence of depression that are reflected in their poor physical health and functions. Therefore, experts recognized the strong association between the chronic illness and depression. The depressive symptoms for over the time can lead to disability. With this evidence, people turn to the use of antidepressants even if it is non-prescribed (Anstey, et al., 2007). However, people who are known to rely on tranquilizers or antidepressants to tackle the problems of anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, and suicidal thoughts are also known as drug users. The abuse of the medicine or misuse of the antidepressant medicines will only lead to bad results (Kalunta-Crumpton, 2004).

Significance

The study will help the people who have trouble in depression and its symptoms. With proper treatment and understanding about the medicines and other psychological treatment, the person who is engaged in depression problems can consume the medicines without the aid of the medicinal professional. Also, the study gave full importance about the issue of medicinal abuse of the people that will lead to their worst outcome. Again, the study promotes the idea of using the medicines with the right action or right usage to achieve the health benefits.

Methodology

The applied methodology in the study is the use of an efficient tool which is the questionnaires. Through the material, the participants in the community can answer diligently about their medical history. It was indicated in the questionnaire about the brief medical history and needed medical attention of the person, especially in the case of the depression. This method will help the study provide the people’s view on the use of the antidepressants, their side effects (if there’s any), and the peoples current situation after the medication. It is a great advantage in using the method because it allows the researchers to take a deeper view on the people’s idea about their action towards depression and its chain of consequences.

Work Plan

In the prescription of the antidepressant medicines, there is an effect in which it can lower or reduce the symptoms of depression by restoring the imbalance of the chemicals in the brain. In choosing a treatment, people in the community that turn into non-prescribed medicines should take the considerations about their age, their symptoms, and their conditions about the depression or if there is any history of medication.

Conclusion

People who use antidepressants or other non-prescribed medicines should be also aware about the negative effects of its excessive usage or abuse. They must ask help to the other people close to them or seek the medical advice if they are engaged in depression because too much intake of the medicines can get their health in to drastic situation.

Resources:

Anstey, K., Von Sanden, C., Sargent-Cox, K., & Luszcz, M., 2007. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Depression in a Longitudinal, Population-based Study Including Individuals in the Community and Residential Care. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 15, No. 6.

Kalunta-Crumpton, A., 2004. A Community without a Drug Problem? Black Drug Use in Britain. Social Justice, Vol. 31, No. 2.

Wood, R., & Fogg, S., 2008. Treating and Beating Depression. Medicines Talk – Information for Consumers and Consumer Group about Using Medicines Wisely, No. 26. [Online] Available at: http://www.nps.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/37779/MT_Winter_08_web.pdf. [Accessed 08 Feb 2010].