Anti-depressants don't work - study (smoking, antidepressants, medication, sleep)
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While I've taken several SSRIs and they've never done much for me, the study did say they could be useful for those with moderate to severe depression (mostly severe).
However, it is important to not use a blanket statement that "anti-depressants don't work" as this study focused on only SSRIs. There are SNRIs, tricyclics and MAOIs - all used to treat depression. I know of someone whose depression was helped with an MAOI (which isn't widely prescribed, simply because one has to avoid so many foods or risk a very dangerous reaction), older tricyclics (one of which worked for me), and SNRIs (I believe Effexor falls into this category) and then atypical anti-depressants such as Wellbutrin (which also seemed to do something for me).
Now I have been Dx'd as bipolar depressive, so the course of treatment for that is a mood stablizer (and even there, there are many different types targeted at whether one is primarily manic or depressive) and often if depression is not alleviated, it is combined with something like an Abilify (which is an anti-psychotic) which often helps to boost mood. Also, at times an anti-depressant is added to the "cocktail" if the psychiatrist doesn't think this will trigger a manic episode.
Hence, this is the reason for not making a blanket statement that anti-depressants don't work. Depends on the person, their neurochemistry and a lot of it is just hit and miss, quite frankly. Also, meds in conjunction with psychotherapy is always the preferred route in dealing with mental illness.
Last edited by mistygrl092; 03-22-2011 at 08:47 PM..
Reason: edit out word
Tens of thousands of New Zealanders are swallowing antidepressant pills that don't work, a groundbreaking study shows.
The study - one of the largest into popular drugs, including Prozac - has found the pills have no "clinically significant" effect.
Everyone is different, but I have heard only 40 percent are helped by antidepressants, that was the drug companies figure, I figure its probably less than that. So I'm not surprised by the results of the recent study. From pple I've known, some are helped by meds but often not enough to allow them to function significantly better, and others not at all, no one I've ever known expected a happy pill. I'd be happy with something that keeps me stable and able to function without freaking out over small things. I'm one of those treatment resistant types Docs love so much. Throw in a healthy dose of anxiety to the mix, shake well, and there you are <<<recognize that face. I do get the side effects of the meds I try, but nothing else. I do really hate Antidepressants, especially the SSRI's. They all seem to make pple tired and here most of us are tired from the stress and depression so thats just we need a pill to take away our energy. Fine if one can sleep all the time I guess, but how can one have a life that way.
I'm out of food for me here at the moment due to the anxiety and agoraphobic feelings, I haven't made it out as yet, I hope I will get out tomorrow. The depression and anxiety create a circle effect, its tough to break. Therapy can be useful, but only if one can find someone that really does care and not one that just sits quietly off in never, never land counting the minutes till the session ends. I wish you all a better day tomorrow.
Everyone is different, but I have heard only 40 percent are helped by antidepressants, that was the drug companies figure, I figure its probably less than that. So I'm not surprised by the results of the recent study. From pple I've known, some are helped by meds but often not enough to allow them to function significantly better, and others not at all, no one I've ever known expected a happy pill. I'd be happy with something that keeps me stable and able to function without freaking out over small things. I'm one of those treatment resistant types Docs love so much. Throw in a healthy dose of anxiety to the mix, shake well, and there you are <<<recognize that face. I do get the side effects of the meds I try, but nothing else. I do really hate Antidepressants, especially the SSRI's. They all seem to make pple tired and here most of us are tired from the stress and depression so thats just we need a pill to take away our energy. Fine if one can sleep all the time I guess, but how can one have a life that way.
I'm out of food for me here at the moment due to the anxiety and agoraphobic feelings, I haven't made it out as yet, I hope I will get out tomorrow. The depression and anxiety create a circle effect, its tough to break. Therapy can be useful, but only if one can find someone that really does care and not one that just sits quietly off in never, never land counting the minutes till the session ends. I wish you all a better day tomorrow.
Todd00, perhaps you have a different kind of depression (as in bipolar and not unipolar) in which case a mood stablizer might help. It is said that many people are misdiagnosed with unipolar depression when it's really bipolar depression. Anti-depressants don't really work in this case and can make things even worse.
My currrent doc was smart enough to give me a long acting anti-anxiety agent (as I deal with anxiety and I'd say agoraphobia to a certain extent, but driving phobia is my real issue) and this drug has really helped me. Of course, the depression is still there (I may be and all indicators point to me being treatment resistant as well) but I am not on the full dosage yet where I need to be with the mood stabilizer, which is said to work pretty well and has anti-depressive properties. What I'm getting now (speaking with respect to the anti-anxiety pill) does allow me to feel more comfortable with things and that anti-anxiety agent really helps and I never abuse it. It's a benzo, FWIW, and not Xanax, which is short acting and highly addictive.
I'm just hoping he will refill it again when I see him next as it's a lifesaver for me.
It doesn't say the drugs don't work;its saying that the drug is beng used on people it does no good for.If the reso for the perosns probelms is that they have other thigns that cause t other tha general depressio ;I doubt without addressig thse probelms they are goig to go away.For them its like drinking in that it gives a escape but often the problems get worse ;not better ;IMO.
Misty, I've tried mood stabilizers and the like too. I'm seeing a new P.A. at the VA April 1st, maybe she will be better than the others. Ativan, and like anxiety meds don't work on me either. I had asked one Doc, if she thought I could be BP2, she said could be, but didn't pursue it at all. Its frustrating as you know.
Misty, I've tried mood stabilizers and the like too. I'm seeing a new P.A. at the VA April 1st, maybe she will be better than the others. Ativan, and like anxiety meds don't work on me either. I had asked one Doc, if she thought I could be BP2, she said could be, but didn't pursue it at all. Its frustrating as you know.
Misleading title. They work alright...for people with moderate to severe depressions. Makes one wonder why those with mild depression are getting them in the first place.
Personally I prefer pot. It's cheaper and healthier. But of course DAS IS VERBOTEN!!! by the drug Nazis. And I've found a low carb (no sugar, white flour products) mostly raw food diet made a world of difference. Sugar & caffeine always make me anxious & jittery. I think it's true for a lot of people. Analogy > instead of removing the nail from their foot they take pain killers.
I've found that low carb eating also helps me; of course, I'm on an antidepressant because of PCOS and the low carb diet helps that. As I continue to improve, I plan to wean off the antidepressant. Potatoes are the worst for me. I'm always anxious and depressed after eating them, and yet I want more.
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