A call for more research into why more of us are taking anti-psychotic drugs

An Otago University study has found the use of antipsychotic medication has increased by 50-percent ... in less than a decade.

But there's no evidence rates of psychosis are increasing.

The research suggests the drugs are instead being prescribed 'off-label' - for such things as sleep and anxiety issues.

Salvation Army's Lynette Hutson says a significant increase like this tells us something's going on.

She believes a lot of social factors bubbling away under the surface are behind the increase - and would like to see more research to uncover it.