Posted by tealady on March 4, 2005, at 21:11:46
In reply to Something that's puzzled me re fish oil studies » tealady, posted by Chris O on March 4, 2005, at 18:58:31
Personally I place little faith in studies based on subjective measurements like depression, especially without control groups treated identically. How do they judge the quantity and quality of depression...via survey to complete often with interviewer feedback as well? The very act of giving people some time, consideration and personalised attention ensures some positive feedback usually..the placebo effect.
With sociological studies, I would have expected both Japan and Korea to have fairly high suicide rates...I could be really unfeeling and suggest that keeps the depression down??
But if one is doing sociological comparisons on depression, surely that must be considered?
Also is it the depression or the reporting of depression. In some societies reporting is more encouraged, in others it is not socially acceptable to admit to. Also where does a society draw the line between normal sadness and depression? Do some societies traditionally "allow" for depression maybe by providing more "in family/extended family" support? etc.
Jan
poster:tealady
thread:465631
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050225/msgs/466704.html