by Max Meads, reporter

A national study has revealed that 15% of people who take antidepressants in the UK are circumventing NHS prescriptions and guidelines and taking medication they have not been prescribed.

The study, which involved 2,000 people and was published by Chemist 4 U, revealed that 1 in 4 people in the UK have a mental health condition, with 81% of those taking medication to cope with symptoms.

However, shockingly, 15% of people who said they were taking antidepressants admitted to taking ones not prescribed to them, or taking expired batches.

Pharmacist Shamir Patel from Chemist 4 U spoke about the worrying statistics, saying: “Prescription medicines are prescribed for a reason, and that is because they are appropriate for the person taking them.”

“You could be unknowingly allergic to an ingredient in the drug, or it may not be the right one to treat your symptoms.”

“Medical professionals will allow you to discuss any matter confidentially and will always treat you with your best interests in mind.”

The rise in people taking antidepressants that are not theirs coincides with the time widely known as the worst for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

This disorder sees sufferers feel noticeably more down and depressed during the winter months, with doctors often prescribing antidepressants during winter to treat SAD. Some who cannot make it to a doctor or do not want to, will self-medicate with a partner’s antidepressants or expired medications.