It has been found that prescriptions for antidepressants have increased at a large number by 28% in the last three years. The NHS Health Information Centre data revealed that last year, more than 43.4 million prescriptions of antidepressants were being handed out to people. But in 2007-08, not more than 34 million prescriptions were given out to people in England.

One of the reasons for such a rise could be the decline in the cost of prescribing medication. There has been considerable decline in the NHS bill for prescribing medicines. Earlier it used to be £264.5 million, but this year the bill was not more than £235.3 million.

The other reason could be recession. Emer O'Neill, the Chief Executive of Depression Alliance, said this recession is giving sleepless nights to people. Those who have never stepped outside home to work are now searching a suitable job.

Same is with those who have been sacked out of job due to inflation. They have to remain out of work for many months before they could find another job. That period between sacked out of job and finding a new one takes a toll on person and hence leaving him with depression and other health problems.

Neill said, "There's the anxiety that comes when people lose their confidence and then, when depression sets in, it's very hard to shake it off. Then you put financial worries on top of that and it's having an impact with relationship breakdowns”.

There could be a positive angle to it as well, said, Paul Famer who is the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Charity Mind. He said it could also be possible that now people are becoming more aware about their disturbed mental health and approach doctors for help. On the other side, doctors are also better equipped to sport such symptoms.