- At least 450 children given anti-depressants at NHS Tayside this year
- Most common age group for the prescriptions is between 14 and 17
- Girls are more likely to be given the mood-altering drugs than boys
- Number of teens given anti-depressants rose by 54 per cent since 2005
Stephen Matthews For Mailonline
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A one-year-old boy was prescribed anti-depressants by the NHS, shocking figures have revealed.
Health bosses at NHS Tayside, in Dundee, claim at least 450 children were given the mood-altering drugs between January and May this year alone.
The youngest among them was a seven-year-old girl.
But in 2014, the trust also prescribed anti-depressants to a one-year-old boy, the Dundee Evening Telegraph reports. No further details were given.
In 2014 a boy aged just one was prescribed anti-depressants by NHS Tayside, according to new figures released
Today the Trust revealed to the MailOnline that the number of children aged one given anti-depressants in 2014 could be as high as four, but failed to give any further information.
It said young patients can be prescribed anti-depressants for conditions such as bedwetting and chronic pain.
Earlier this year, figures showed there has been a 54 per cent increase in the number of young people prescribed antidepressants in the UK between 2005 and 2012.
And the latest official NHS statistics on prescribing revealed there were 61 million antidepressant items prescribed overall in 2015.
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This was a 107.6 per cent increase compared to 2005 and a 6.8 per cent increase on 2014.
Of the 2015 prescriptions for anti-depressants, 4.5 per cent were dispensed to children aged under 16.
However, there have been frequent warnings about the negative effects of children taking mood-altering drugs such as these.
Research published in the British Medical Journal warned children and adolescents have a doubled risk of aggression or suicidal behaviour when taking one of five common drugs to combat depression.
Earlier this year, figures showed there has been a 54 per cent increase in the number of young people prescribed anti-depressants in the UK between 2005 and 2012
Experts said the ‘deeply worrying’ findings, should make doctors think hard about whether to rely on the drugs.
The NHS Tayside statistics unveiled today revealed the most common age group to be given the prescriptions is between 14 and 17.
And girls are more likely to be given anti-depressants than boys, officials said.
‘ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AREN’T THE ONLY OPTION’
Charities today stressed alternative treatments for depression, including talking therapies, should be used to help treat the condition.
Nick Harrop, campaigns manager at YoungMinds – a mental health charity, said: ‘Antidepressants can have a place in treating some mental health conditions among young people but they should never be the only course of action.
‘It’s important to have a balanced approach to treatment, combining a range of therapies to ensure that the person has the best possible chance of recovery.
‘It’s also important children and parents have comprehensive information about the effects that antidepressants can have.’
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said the drugs could be used for people who have a number of different conditions.
She said: ‘Antidepressants are a type of medication used to treat clinical depression, or prevent it from recurring.
‘However, they can also be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, such as chronic pain and anxiety disorders.
‘If appropriate for individual patients, antidepressants are prescribed and often used in combination with therapy to treat more severe depression, or other mental health conditions caused by emotional distress.’
Today’s figures come after more than one in three teenage girls were found to now suffer from anxiety or depression.
A study of 30,000 pupils discovered the number of girls with poor mental health rose by 10 per cent in the past decade – and they were twice as likely as boys to report symptoms.
The research also found teenagers from more affluent backgrounds were more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than the less well-off.
Scientists also warned earlier this year that watching over your child’s every move and pushing them to top the class could lead them depressed and anxious.
In a five-year study, they found parents who over-react when their child makes a mistake are potentially pushing their children into a mental health condition.
While a seperate study found teenagers who don’t get enough sleep are more prone to depression in later life.
However, a new study warns those lost hours of sleep could have a crucial – and potentially devastating impact – on their later life.
According to experts at the University of Houston, children who suffer inadequate or disrupted sleep are far more likely to suffer depression and anxiety as adults.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see their website for details.
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