For a small amount of time I worked in a mental health clinic. The clients were average Americans seeking counseling, therapy, and the occasional guidance that a licensed professional can offer. When I began, I noticed very few patients were being referred to the psychiatrist to receiveanti-depressants. As time went on, however, I noticed that on average one out of every three was being sent to receive a prescription.
Now, I'm not at liberty to divulge the reasons/causes/thoughts of the prescribing doctor, but the Patten I witnessed was indicative of a growing trend to prescribe patients anti-depressants. In 1996, the number of Americans onanti-depressantswas around 13.3 million. In 2005, the number reached 27 million, with no indication of slowing down. So, for nearly two decades, the American consumer was told by television commercials and by drug associations that pharmaceuticals such as Prozac and Zoloft are helpful when combating the symptoms of depression.
However, a new study suggests that placebos are just as effective asanti-depressants. A team of researchers gathered results of six studies to discover that for those with mild to moderately severe depression received no additional benefits fromanti-depressants. The group that was given a placebo drug (a sugar pill), were found to no significant difference in their treatment and outcome compared to those who were given the anti-depressant.
Doctors urge caution when going off medication, as there are still side effects to deal with. However, the new and growing consensus is that psychotherapy, and other therapeutic treatments, are more effective that anti-depressants when dealing with depressed patients and do not carry the harmful side effects associated with pharmaceuticals.
It's the latter half of this story that most doctors should be able to find consensus. The number of Americans onanti-depressantsis unacceptable, clocking in at roughly ten percent. For a country that continues to view itself as a happy nation, the number should raise flags, both for experts in various health and medical fields, as well as to the average American.
There are, of course, many numbers of reasons why Americans are depressed and seek medical and therapeutic treatments. Anyone who is seeking to go off depression medications should consult several health experts before doing so.
What this study does, however, is hopefully shift the focus away from drugs as a cure-all. American consumers, and drug advertisers, believe that medication is a wonder cure. But psychology is a different beast from neurobiology. A focus on therapy and other non-medication solutions would be a benefit to patients and researchers.Anti-depressantsdo affect the serotonin reuptakes process in the brain, but the drugs affect other areas and produce harmful side effects. If you are suffering from depression, a safer alternative would be to try psychotherapy if you haven't already done so.
The average amount of time at the clinic I worked for was about 16 months. Some take a little more time, and some a little less. For those who are not having results with psychotherapy, it may be the clinician or therapist. I have seen the success rate for patients who switch therapists. Don't get turned off because you have tried several times but didn't find the right therapist. Use this study as an impetus to keep trying. Depression is not incurable, but with effort, you can help yourself without having to worrying about chemical side effects.
