The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
recently recommended that antidepressants, specifically selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), should be the first-line
treatment for moderate or severe depression. This recommendation
could be why many doctors reactively turn to antidepressants to
treat patients suffering from depression.
With almost 19 million Americans thought to suffer from depressive
disorders ... that's a whole lot of drugs.
However, studies have found that SSRIs
may increase the risk of suicidal behavior in both children
and adults, leading two UK investigators to argue: Antidepressants,
for the most part, offer no meaningful benefit.
After reviewing published medical evidence on antidepressant efficacy:
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One of the investigators stated she is not convinced there
is such a thing as a drug that will specifically relieve depression
and that so-called antidepressants are merely drugs that do
other things, such as sedating or stimulating people.
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A co-author of the report also pointed out that depression
should be addressed without drugs, as it is something people
need to learn to deal with themselves.
This duo may be on to something, for the continuing concern that
SSRIs may increase the risk of suicidal behavior means there needs
to be further consideration of evidence for the efficacy of antidepressants.
British
Medical Journal July 16, 2005; 331:155-157
Reuters
July 15, 2005
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