English summary: INCREASE IN USE OF PSYCHOTROPICS AMONGADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS SINCETHE BEGINNING OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Background Recently, increasing attention has been focused on psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. In this article we describe the use of psychotropics among children and adolescents during the years 1997-2007 on the basis of the prescription register of the Social Insurance Institution.

Method Purchases made for patients aged 0-26 years and including ADHD medicines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives or antidepressants were extracted from the register. For the analysis, the patients were divided into following age groups 0-6, 7-10, 11-15 16-20 and 21-26 years old.

Results The number of persons using psychotropics increased threefold during the study period. The use of antidepressants increased most rapidly and the prevalence of use was highest among women over 15 years old. The use of antipsychotics has also slowly increased and the duration of use appears to be longer. ADHD medications are used mainly by school-aged boys. The use of anxiolytics and sedatives during adolescence has increased.

Conclusions The use of medication for psychiatric and neuropscyhiatric disorders among children and adolescents has increased during the last 10 years. The observed trends may be caused by an increase in symptoms or their severity, by new treatment indications, changes in treatment options and/or current care practices, or by lack of other rehabilitation resources.