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A longitudinal study of psychotropic drug prescription

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

P. Williams ,
J. Murray  and
A. Clare
P. Williams*
Affiliation:
General Practice Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
J. Murray
Affiliation:
General Practice Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
A. Clare
Affiliation:
General Practice Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Paul Williams, General Practice Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF.
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Synopsis

While many of the characteristics of psychotropic drug consumers have been established by means of cross-sectional studies, little is known about new consumers and the factors which predispose to long-term treatment. We report on a longitudinal study of 153 general practice patients beginning a new course of psychotropic drug treatment and characterized by extensive physical and psychological morbidity. About 1 in 5 were still receiving psychotropic drugs 6 months later and this prolonged treatment was associated with increased age, previous psychotropic drug-use, higher levels of psychological morbidity at the inception of treatment and, for the women only, social problems as perceived by the general practitioners.

Type
Preliminary Communication
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , February 1982 , pp. 201 - 206
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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