Public attitudes towards the acceptability of using drugs to treat depression and ADHD

Abstract

Objective: This paper examines public attitudes towards the acceptability of using prescription drugs to treat depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and whether attitudes are influenced by familiarity with the use of pharmacological treatments for these disorders. Method: Participants were 1265 members of the general public aged 18–101 years (50% female) participating in the Queensland Social Survey (QSS), an omnibus state-wide survey of households in the state of Queensland. The survey was administered through a CATI (computer-assisted telephone interviewing) system. Results: Most members of the public thought that the drug treatment of depression was acceptable (55%) but attitudes were much less positive towards the use of drugs to treat ADHD (35.6% acceptable). Regression analyses showed that respondents who knew someone who had received pharmacological treatment for depression were more likely to find it acceptable. However, participants were divided about the acceptability of drug treatment for ADHD regardless of whether they knew someone who had received drug treatment for ADHD or not. Participants with a higher level of education were more likely to find drug treatment for depression and ADHD acceptable. Participants who did not know anyone who had received drug treatment were less likely to have a definite opinion on whether it was acceptable or unacceptable. Conclusions: Attitudes towards the acceptability of the use of prescription drugs are more positive for depression than for ADHD. This may broadly reflect ongoing controversies in the public sphere about the potential over-diagnosis of ADHD or overmedication of children with ADHD. Members of the public who do not know anyone with depression or ADHD may need particular information from prescribers in the event that they (or their child) are diagnosed.

The public debate on psychotropic medication and changes in attitudes 1990–2011

“…However, as the results of previous studies were quite inconsistent, many of them showing no relationship of drug attitudes with age (e.g. [26,31,32]), we hesitate to draw far-reaching conclusions from our findings.…”

Over-diagnosed and over-treated: a survey of Australian public attitudes towards the acceptability of drug treatment for depression and ADHD

“…This study extends our 2011 study of public attitudes towards the acceptability of psychotropic drug treatment for ADHD and depression [6] by including an exploration of public attitudes towards over-diagnosis of these conditions. We again surveyed attitudes towards the acceptability of drug treatment for depression and ADHD given that: 1) anti-depressants and stimulants have increased more than almost all other psychotropic drugs, 2) there is ongoing discussion about over-diagnosis of both conditions, and 3) our previous study indicated relatively high levels of familiarity with both disorders among the general public.…”

“…In 2011 we surveyed 1265 members of the Queensland public (as part of the Queensland Social Survey; QSS) finding that most people (55%) believed it was acceptable to use prescription drugs to treat depression; however, around 15% disagreed outright and almost 30% were unsure or neutral, indicating that there is considerable room for full acceptance of anti-depressants [6]. The two-thirds of participants had either been treated for depression with prescription drugs or knew someone who had, were more likely to view drug treatment as acceptable.…”

“…Our 2011 survey found that attitudes towards the use of stimulants to treat ADHD were sharply divided. The acceptability of drug treatment for ADHD was much lower than for depression (35%) and an almost equal number disagreed outright with such treatment [6]. While there is evidence that parents of children with ADHD are more likely to be accepting of stimulant treatment [8], other studies with Australian parents have found that those whose child had been diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to think that too many children are medicated for ADHD and two-thirds also thought that ADHD was over-diagnosed [9].…”

Public Perceptions of Pharmacogenetics

“…11 Plausibly, the acceptability of a concept may depend on people' s familiarity with the concept. 12 Indeed, among medical students, greater educational exposure was associated with more favorable opinions on diverse topics such as complementary alternative medicine, 13 geriatric psychiatry, 14 rural practice, 15 and palliative care. 16 In view of previous literature, therefore, the primary objective of this study was to explore how the acceptability of personal PGx testing (ie, PGx testing for oneself) could be related to parental status and educational exposure.…”