Do antidepressants really work? - new research
A recent meta-analysis was published on whether modern anti-depressants work for depression.
The researchers analysed 47 trials using data released in the USA under Freedom of Information rules. They assessed common antidepressants and the research submitted to get licensing approval in the USA. The trials which usually ran for six weeks, involved one group of patients who took a placebo (a dummy or sugar pill), and a group that took the antidepressant.
Depression symptoms of both groups of patients were measured at the end of each trial.
They discovered very little evidence of useful effects from the drugs. It was important that they included data that had not previously been published from the drug companies. The researchers found that the improvement in patients taking the antidepressants compared to placebos was not significant in patients with mild or moderate depression, and even in many of the severely depressed patients.
What seem to be good results for those with severe depression seem to come from a decrease in those patient's response to the placebo, rather than any notable increase in their response to the drugs.
Whilst antidepressants may have benefits for some patients, the impression from this paper is that overall they probably have a limited role to play in those with mild to moderate depression. The role of the placebo effect can be very powerful. The placebo effect here accounts for the majority of any effect.
More information on the placebo effect:
The placebo effect
We do know that in other trials of antidepressants the effect of the drug for many people is only small. They don't seem to cause dramatic effects when studied in randomised trials. Many of us have seen patients who have had apparently very good results when taking these drugs. This often occurs as the condition naturally improves, or as a placebo effect - particulary if the patient has a strong belief in the effectiveness of the treatment.
The ability of the mind to influence our health is often underestimated and will be explored further in future QOH Newsletters.
NOTE: This is not intended as medical advice and you should always discuss your medications with your doctor.