Posted by MattDDS on September 25, 2002, at 13:12:32
In reply to Re: Antidepressants versus placebo smackdown!, posted by crepuscular on September 25, 2002, at 12:37:40
Crepuscular,
Actually, I have “sucked down” all different types of antidepressants: Every member of the SSRI family, TCAs, Serzone, Remeron, Wellbutrin. All of these at therapeutic doses for adequate lengths.
You are right, I did feel different. I was sexually numb, irritable, had worsened insomnia, and was depersonalized. But in terms of antidepressant effects, my depression did not budge. You seem to think I’m just talking out my ass here but I’m not. I am a veteran at this stuff. Of course, the fact that I personally did not respond is meaningless in terms of statistics. But that was never my point.
My point is this: Even looking at the manufacturers best studies (BTW, they only release the very best studies, the rest are suppressed, this has been termed the “filing effect”), the difference between placebo and antidepressant is not very large at all! In fact, in many studies (again, which never seem to get published) there is no difference at all!
I really don’t mean to sound pessimistic, but I’m just stating my opinion as I see things. If I believed there existed an effective antidepressant, I would have no problem whatsoever taking it. Hell, if we find one, let’s put it in the public water next to fluoride! Neither am I not saying they are dangerous (as extremists like Breggin might say), as there is no evidence that points this way. The main question I am raising is this: EFFICACY! That’s all!
I think you may be missing my point.
Matt
poster:MattDDS
thread:120924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020922/msgs/121026.html