GETTING MENTAL DRUGS WITHOUT DIAGNOSES

A large-scale survey showed that doctors often prescribe psychotropic medication without a diagnosis, and the older you get, the more likely this will occur. Often times, the patient him/herself cannot explain why they are taking the medicine. A total of 5.1 million patients' records was examined in 2009, and 58% were prescribed psychotropic drugs (antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, stimulants, anticonvulsant mood stabilizers, and lithium) without a daignosis.

Out of this sub-group, 69% were aged 50-64, meaning that older patients are 2.9 times more likely to be given medication without a diagnosis than younger patients. So as you age, the risk of receiving medicine without a diagnosis increases.