Mental health and psychodrugs use among medical students

Abstract

Introduction: The emotions experienced by man on a daily basis and how they affect the human psychological is what determines the quality of the so-called mental health. This condition is related to complete physical, mental and social well-being and not just in the presence or absence of disease. Society has been experiencing a growing process of medicalization, especially in the use of psychotropic drugs, drugs that act on the Central Nervous System. University students and, in particular, medical students are more likely to use these drugs in search of better academic performance and stress relief, although this habit can impact mental health. Objective: To analyze mental health, the use of psychotropic drugs and associated factors in medical students. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study carried out in the North of Minas Gerais. Data collection took place in a sample of 286 students enrolled in the medical course of a higher education institution in the north of Minas Gerais. Data were collected in structured face-to-face interviews with the aim of evaluating the use of psychotropic drugs. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (IDATE-E) and the simplified ABEP social classifier were used as a basis for the elaboration of the questionnaire. Results: It was observed in the sample of 286 participants that there is an increased chance of using psychotropic drugs among students in the 3rd and 4th year of the course. In addition, there was an increase in the use of psychotropic drugs, especially in individuals who have depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Careful attention is needed from those involved in the learning process of medical students in relation to the use of psychotropic drugs by these students, especially in the last periods of the course before the internship, due to the greater propensity to use medication, anxiety symptoms and panic.