Posted by bleauberry on October 26, 2009, at 17:34:38
In reply to Should SSRIs Be Taken Off The Market?, posted by bulldog2 on October 26, 2009, at 15:16:29
I do not believe SSRIs should be taken off the market.
I do however believe the following:
1) In the medication category, TCAs and MAOIs should be first line, SSRIs second line. Right now they got it backwards. I feel it's about the money. There isn't any money in the old drugs. But they do have a solid track record even after 50 years. SSRIs don't. I also believe "selective" is not necessarily the great thing it is claimed to be. Dirtier drugs seem to work better.
2) As long as the depression is not suicidal or totally incapaciting, natural probing should be tried before drugs...5htp, tyrosine, dlpa, adrenal cortex extract. Try to find out which circuitry is involved by the response to these substances, which is noted within hours or days, with a 50% chance of finding what works great before the med hunt even begins, or at least honing in on what kinds of meds to consider. Very few studies to go on however. Again, the money thing. Back in the 1980's there were a couple studies on DLPA at rather small doses, with the response rate of a comparable TCA taking the lead in the early weaks, but DLPA catching up and even surpassing it by week 6. I think the whole natural approach to healing has taken a sad backseat, primarily due to lack of study and knowledge, and lack of profit.
3) Follow Germany's expertise on plant chemistry. St Johns Wort is prescribed (it is not OTC) 6 times more often than Prozac. That wouldn't be happening if it wasn't working. Another lesser known one is Rhodiola Rosea.
Whatever the course of action, I believe SSRIs should be last in line, not first.
poster:bleauberry
thread:922639
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091021/msgs/922691.html