GPs prescribe drugs as 'quick fix' for anxiety

GPs are massively over-prescribing anti-depressants such as Prozac to offer patients a "quickfix" solution to anxiety, a new report shows.

A huge shortage of psychological treatments - such as counselling and psychotherapy - available on the NHS has left many doctors feeling they have no alternative but to prescribe the drugs to patients with depression, anxiety and stress.

The study, which was commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare, found that 81 per cent of the 250 GPs questioned in Britain openly admitted to overprescribing antidepressants such as Prozac and Seroxat.

More than a quarter said that making psychological therapies more widely available should be a priority for the NHS.