Antidepressants Versus Placebos: Meaningful Advantages Are Lacking

This doesn't surprise me at all. There is no magic pill out there which can make us all feel better, I with that there was. Meanwhile, we have to deal with all the side-effects and withdrawal issues for only minimal or non-existent improvement. The docs keep upping dosages and trying more and more combinations. There are no easy answers or magic pills. Bummer huh?

Hm, I can only go by myself and my own experiences and I notice that my meds do something for me, besides side-effects.
Also, I know that there's an awful lot of money (both marketing wise as well as political) going around in the PR efforts around popular meds.
So as with every 'breaking' news; pro, or con, I reserve the right to take it with a grain of salt. but thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Meerkat wrote:

Hm, I can only go by myself and my own experiences and I notice that my meds do something for me, besides side-effects.
Also, I know that there's an awful lot of money (both marketing wise as well as political) going around in the PR efforts around popular meds.
So as with every 'breaking' news; pro, or con, I reserve the right to take it with a grain of salt. but thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Its good to hear that somebody is being helped. I have tried so many anti-depressents without any luck. The side effects and withdrawal problems have been terrible. I am starting to lose hope. Sorry to be a downer.

Not at all. We're all different and for some it works and for some it doesn't. Maybe I'm the freak here.
I have had odd experiences with ADs, but my present regimen strikes a practical and bearable balance between benefit and side-effects. I'm sorry that it doesn't work for you.
What I have also heard is that ADs are over0prescribed. i.e. being indicated and advised for conditions that are really not clinical depressions, but more like situational depressions. For those, these meds don't work, because there is no underlying chemical (oxitocin / serotonin) imbalance.

In reality, antidepressants (http://www.originaldrugs.com/antidepressants-... ) are not 100% effective. Their effectiveness is about 50-70%.

Hi there!

I went through a number of things [is all I can say], and having had panic disorder for years, thinking this was hypoglycemia, I found myself experiencing about eight to ten panic attacks a day, until finally I found myself unable to go outside, not to work, nor the grocery store, and sometimes, I could not come out of my bedroom, if I heard someone in the house [lived with two brothers]. My doctor saw me at a restaurant one day, and asked me to come see him tomorrow, which I did. Working with my GP, and a Psychiatrist, it was decided I was suffering from endogenous depression with panic disorder and agorophobia [what a mess I was! I can only thankfully look back at that today, and thank God I am not still there].

Was put on a tricyclic antidepressant called Norpramin, and because of hypo-manic episodes, due to the Norpramin, Xanax to offset IT.

But, the Norpramin worked for me, insofar as I felt a definite lifting off of everything but the panic disorder, in 48 hours! I called my GP, and thanked him profusely, because I refused to take the medications as ill as I was initially, but went back to him being unable to take life in the shape I was in anymore, GIVE ME ANYTHING!

The tricyclic family are old hat today [this was back in 1986], but I was told after much history-taking and therapy, that I had come into the world with a chemical imbalance, and I was unable to use the coping mechanisms I had been used to with advancing age, and so that which could be called almost a full breakdown when I would not self-medicate any longer, usually alcohol [not alcoholic], but had gotten into some trouble having made a few bad decisions while drinking.

I've been using Norpramin and Xanax for 21 years now, and I am finally choosing to "Do it my way!" The doctors have told me since that time, if I withdraw even very slowly, all will come back again -- that's who I now am, without the imbalance rectified with the drugs. I've tried a number of times [a few dozen or more], to come away from the drugs, and as soon as I reach a certain amount of the drugs [a certain minimum level, done very slowly], I begin feeling as I did in 1986 all over again, and so I increase to normal top plasma level, and all is well.

This time, I'm doing it super-slowly, with a positive attitude! I can only do what I can do, and so I am optimistic, as well as being pragmatic. I will go as far as I am able, but I cannot live as I once did: it was far too unreal, lonely, filled with an unknown chronic fear, and I have no real fear of death. I'm adding "prayer" this time too, for I am sure it cannot hurt. I was ADHD as well when young, although never treated then, but the Norpramin is used for IT as well. Sometimes, I feel like I should not try, because all is well, but I must try one more time. That's been the story since 1986 -- try one more time! Just thought this was a place to share some big truths! Thanks for listening.

I've read that antidepressents only work in 1 out of 3 cases and has to do with your brain whether it will work for you or not

The Newsweek previously published a research from The Journal of the American Medical Association which claimed that antidepressants is a little more beneficial than placebos, but it has numerous side effects. However, there are new findings that suggest some patients who take an antidepressant like Zoloft receive no medical benefits from the drug compared to placebos. Also, several medical institutions and researchers have consistently reporting various Zoloft side effects (see http://www.zoloftsertralinebirthdefects.com ).

Does anyone really trust Pharma any longer? Not only are they constantly in court over death and injury related to their faulty, fraudulent products, but have been convicted and fined for fraud. Their CEO'S should be in prison, but they slither out of it by settling out of court or making side deals with government. Why do you think there is a vaccine injury compensation program, a vaccine injury court and blanket immunity from all forms if lawsuit in the U.S.? Do you think its because of their fraudulent statements that vaccine injury is rare and mild? You bet it is. No other industry gets these forms of protection.

Jason wrote:

In reality, antidepressants (http://www.originaldrugs.com/antidepressants-... ) are not 100% effective. Their effectiveness is about 50-70%.

Effectiveness is barely 50% when you look at all the studies not just the positive one the drug companies presented I wonder what it would look like if we looked at just the studies not paid for by pharma?

FBOMBER wrote:

Does anyone really trust Pharma any longer? Not only are they constantly in court over death and injury related to their faulty, fraudulent products, but have been convicted and fined for fraud. Their CEO'S should be in prison, but they slither out of it by settling out of court or making side deals with government. Why do you think there is a vaccine injury compensation program, a vaccine injury court and blanket immunity from all forms if lawsuit in the U.S.? Do you think its because of their fraudulent statements that vaccine injury is rare and mild? You bet it is. No other industry gets these forms of protection.

Nobody trusts pharma soon they will only be able to sell drugs to the dying as risks of their meds are too high otherwise. Ever wonder why you see so many ads on tv for drugs now tho they are not really hurting as they have zillions of dollars from the last 30 years I bet sales are down....I hope they are.

[QUOTE/]
For those, these meds don't work, because there is no underlying chemical (oxitocin / serotonin) imbalance.[/QUOTE]
Not the chemical imbalance theory of depression again. When will people learn it is a sham and merely a triumph of marketing.

Some antidepressants merely serve as placebo in some patients. They produce no actual therapeutic benefits other than a psychological effect on patients that they are receiving treatment for their condition. On the other hand, these patients are not spared from the drug’s
side effects or potential risks. It may be worth considering whether the placebo effects of these drugs outweigh the side effects that come with taking them.
http://www.paxilbirthdefectlaw.com/paxil-ssri...

One in ten Americans are on antidepressants. These drugs reportedly benefit severely depressed people but they have a ""nonexistent to negligible"" impact on patients with milder, run-of-the-mill blues. This is according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, based on data analysis of the popular drug Paxil and its older generic cousin, imipramine. This runs in contradiction to the popular image of antidepressant pills as magic bullets.

While antidepressants remain the first line of treatment in many cases of depression, the treatment options have increased over the decades. Patients are advised to discuss the options with their doctors. It is important that one bears in mind that these treatments may not constitute the complete remedy to one’s depression. They alleviate the symptoms and may work better complemented with other therapeutic measures like lifestyle and behavioral modifications to improve one’s physical, mental and psychological heath. 
http://www.paxilbirthdefectlaw.com

Harry Kimberlin wrote:

Some antidepressants merely serve as placebo in some patients. They produce no actual therapeutic benefits other than a psychological effect on patients that they are receiving treatment for their condition. On the other hand, these patients are not spared from the drug’s
side effects or potential risks. It may be worth considering whether the placebo effects of these drugs outweigh the side effects that come with taking them.
http://www.paxilbirthdefectlaw.com/paxil-ssri...

TROLL ALERT!

Meerkat wrote:

Not at all. We're all different and for some it works and for some it doesn't. Maybe I'm the freak here.
I have had odd experiences with ADs, but my present regimen strikes a practical and bearable balance between benefit and side-effects. I'm sorry that it doesn't work for you.
What I have also heard is that ADs are over0prescribed. i.e. being indicated and advised for conditions that are really not clinical depressions, but more like situational depressions. For those, these meds don't work, because there is no underlying chemical (oxitocin / serotonin) imbalance.

By the way the marketing statement that says serotonin imbalance in your brain causes depression is just that a MARKETING STATEMENT if you ask anyone or read anything about these drugs that statement will always be prefaced by "it is thought" or "suspected" it is not a proven scientific fact but it is sold like it is.

FBOMBER wrote:

Does anyone really trust Pharma any longer? Not only are they constantly in court over death and injury related to their faulty, fraudulent products, but have been convicted and fined for fraud. Their CEO'S should be in prison, but they slither out of it by settling out of court or making side deals with government. Why do you think there is a vaccine injury compensation program, a vaccine injury court and blanket immunity from all forms if lawsuit in the U.S.? Do you think its because of their fraudulent statements that vaccine injury is rare and mild? You bet it is. No other industry gets these forms of protection.

You know I bet there are lot of people who do trust them the reason is they believe they are being protected by their gov't or other watch dogs it is so sad that many more are going to be hurt. What convinces me of this for sure are the people I talk to about my experience they think I am the exception and that it will never happen to them. What can you do when people stand in denial... I bring up all the court cases the fraud the pills that have been withdrawn from the market still they run to take pills the doc hands out. I have a cousin who took a drug for a toe nail fungus has been off work so long her benefits are running out. Being a bash -pharma book reader I was reading a book which had a part in it about the side effects of that drug and read it to her when she was taking. She did not stop taking it tho she did not say if she believed it or not. We did not discuss it again until she was in big trouble she called to have me look up the drug and the side effects. This is just one case but it seems until your life has been sadly effected people just want to believe in pharma the political process and disney. What can we do? I sure don't know if I knew I would be doing it.

btd wrote:

<quoted text>
By the way the marketing statement that says serotonin imbalance in your brain causes depression is just that a MARKETING STATEMENT if you ask anyone or read anything about these drugs that statement will always be prefaced by "it is thought" or "suspected" it is not a proven scientific fact but it is sold like it is.
You know I bet there are lot of people who do trust them the reason is they believe they are being protected by their gov't or other watch dogs it is so sad that many more are going to be hurt. What convinces me of this for sure are the people I talk to about my experience they think I am the exception and that it will never happen to them. What can you do when people stand in denial... I bring up all the court cases the fraud the pills that have been withdrawn from the market still they run to take pills the doc hands out. I have a cousin who took a drug for a toe nail fungus has been off work so long her benefits are running out. Being a bash -pharma book reader I was reading a book which had a part in it about the side effects of that drug and read it to her when she was taking. She did not stop taking it tho she did not say if she believed it or not. We did not discuss it again until she was in big trouble she called to have me look up the drug and the side effects. This is just one case but it seems until your life has been sadly effected people just want to believe in pharma the political process and disney. What can we do? I sure don't know if I knew I would be doing it.

DME wrote:

Ya think?
Not according to the foremost researchers and authorities on the subject of Serotonin and SSRI's.

The Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ssris/MH0006 ...

The Cleveland Clinic http://my.clevelandclinic.org/eclevelandclini ...

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/repor ...

Johns Hopkins in particular has been reporting amazing results for years on studies that have proven that the human body's use of Serotonin is the answer to some of the most deadly and/or debilitating diseases and conditions known to man. SIDS, for example, has been proven to be linked to Serotonin levels and the even more astounding news is that it could be the answer to nullifying all types of Diabetes.

Where do you get your information? Lack of knowledge (ignorance), can be a very dangerous thing. Did it ever occur to you that someone could read your nonsense and decide to stop their meds because of it.

Correction:
Did it ever occur to you that someone could read your nonsense and decide to stop their meds because of it?

Doctor My Eyes wrote:

Correction:
Did it ever occur to you that someone could read your nonsense and decide to stop their meds because of it?

I can only hope they do!

Did you ever thin to research who paid for the studies at those once wonderfully believable research institutions???? I know for a fact that most studies on any drug are PAID for by PHARMA.
Stop trying to insult me it will not work and you just make yourself look like an ass.