Posted by ed_uk2010 on September 2, 2010, at 12:52:21 [reposted on September 3, 2010, at 18:58:53 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Trk-b sigma-1r » ed_uk2010, posted by linkadge on September 1, 2010, at 13:34:07
>I resent the notion that my opinions change with the wind.
Aww I'm sorry Link, I didn't mean to offend. I do like you and I enjoy reading your posts.
>I have always contended that effects from antidepressants are slim to nonexistent.
Well yes, I know you've often said that. On the other hand, I'm sure you've said that certain antidepressants seemed 'potent' eg. clomipramine, even if they didn't suit you personally.
>I think they are much overrated.
A lot of medications are overrated, and not just psych meds. These things change like fashion. Not so long ago, benzos could do no wrong. These days, people are treated like addicts if they dare to ask their doctor for a few tablets. It's basically a case of whatever is the latest and greatest med.
>The problem is publication bias.
You're right, it's a major problem. IMO, another major problem is that depression is a very heterogeneous condition. Depression is not a single disease entity, it's a broad syndrome which encompasses many different types of illness. I do think that some patients respond well to antidepressants (but many don't). The problem is that there is no accurate way of predicting in advance which drug would be best for any given patient. For example, you seem to respond best to Ritalin but who could have predicted that? Lexapro (or whatever) could have been the best drug for you but it wasn't. The trial and error that we have to go through is unfortunate!
In conclusion, I don't think we should be asking 'Do antidepressants work?' Instead, we should be asking 'Who do they work for, and who do they not work for? How can we predict who will benefit, and who will not?'
I think this would be more productive but a lot of research would be needed to get any useful answers. Drug companies would prefer you to believe that their meds work for most people with 'depression' - as if it was a single problem with a single solution. So.... who is going to fund this research?
poster:ed_uk2010
thread:960610
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20100607/msgs/961186.html