Comments on: How the powerful placebo effect works
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- The problem with all the reports and suggestions about practices that will help the mildly and moderately depressed equally(meditation,exercise) is that the whole issue with many people with depression can not get themselves to do these things while still having low mood and energy. I am a psychotherapist who uses meditation for myself and with my clients and with chronic psychiatric patients. I also eventually encourage some kind of exercise. It is tremendously helpful. But most people can not do these things UNTIL they have more energy and hope. The serotonin drugs can help them get there. I formerly did not believe in meds except as a last option, until I worked for years with all the choices, and in a clinic where I was forced to learn more about meds and chronic low-level depression. I believed in the "talk cure", and still do, as the central piece. But the meds have a very important place for many people, especially for a period. Not as the total or final answer.
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- What the piece failed to discuss is that the placebo only works if the person believes they are taking the drug. What is the outcome rate for people who are told they are taking a placebo. What is the agenda? The drug companies trying to make money at any cost or the governament trying to save money at any cost. Talking to the British government system will centainly not return any valid answers. Now in our burgeoning government run health care system will they decide who gets the placebo and who gets the drug? But everybody gets charged and the government pockets the difference. Where are the tests resuts for the people who are told they are taking a placebo but are actually given the drug. Placebos only work if you are told a lie. Perhaps this can be the motto of a government health care system, "We will only lie to you for your own good!" At a minimum your report should have addressed this question. Cheers, Hussy Haslett
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- I think an even much more important issue is that raised by Robert Whitaker in his books Mad in America and Anatomy of An Epidemic. Impeccably researched, his books tell of an epidemic of drug-induced mental illness - including a four-fold rise in people receiving disability for mentally illness from the federal government - due to the brain damaging effects of these drugs and how multiple long term studies show that severely mentally ill patients, notably schizophrenics, do better off neuroleptic "antipsychotic" drugs than the patients who are on them. Considering that many people diagnosed with schizophrenia are forced to take them either by family or court order, I think that should be the most important issue for the media to be investigating.
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- I think an even much more important issue is that raised by Robert Whitaker in his books Mad in America and Anatomy of An Epidemic. Impeccably researched, his books tell of an epidemic of drug-induced mental illness - including a four-fold rise in people receiving disability for mentally illness from the federal government - due to the brain damaging effects of these drugs and how multiple long term studies show that severely mentally ill patients, notably schizophrenics, do better off neuroleptic "antipsychotic" drugs than without.
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- I agree that exercise, meditation, and living a healthy lifestyle can decrease symptoms of depression. In your story, you did not mention how antidepressants help with other illnesses, such as anxiety, panic disorders, sleep, eating disorders, etc. I work in the mental health field and I see the positive results of antidepressants daily. I feel that your story added to the stigma of mental health issues in our country. People have a difficult time seeking help and your story basically said, "There is no need for antidepressants because it is all in your head."
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- About 15 years ago, I was diagnosed with "mild to moderate depression." Based on a ton of research, including the DSM-IV - the diagnostic authority for mental and emotional disorders, I concur to this day that the diagnosis was correct. I was prescribed a variety of anti-depressants, all of which after a 4-6 week period seem to have a beneficial effect. Unfortuatly, this disappeared after a couple of months. Over time, I felt more and more like I was losing my ability to care - about anything. Zombie-like is my description and I attributed this to the medication. Along with medicatgion, I underwant multiple rounds of "cognitive therapy." Unfortunately, I relied on the medication to relieve my problems, which decreased the effectiveness of the therapy. It finally got to the point where I became alarmed at my ability to "care" about anything. With the guidance of an excellent licensed therapist, I decided to wean myself from the anti-depressants. It took me about 8 weeks of decreasing doses and some ups and downs from withdrawal, but once totally off the medication, I felt MUCH better. Around the same time, I read several articles about depressin caused by lack of vitamin D. After discussing with my doctor, I began 10,000 units a day for 6 weeks, dropping to 4,000 units a day ongoing. My depression, which was diagnosed as "chronic" is mostly gone, although I still have brief bouts of symptoms. The most valuable treatment now has been the cognitive therapy which has taugt me that I have significant control over my moods. I can now control my "down" moods fairly reliably, and the lows are NEVER as deep as they used to be. At this point in my life, I believe that medication is the LAST resort, and only for the deepest depression. Don't misunderstand my personal finding that vitamin D was significant in my own depression. Rather, take the initiative to discover which of the many causes of depression are affecting you, and don't just believe the doctor that prescribed for you!
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- Great story but one important point left out is that while placebos may be as effective as the anti-depressants, the placebo does not have the side effects. So as long as the placebos can avoid the evil effects of sugar, they are probably superior and could save about 10 billion a year on health care costs.
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- Holistic Health has become so powerful and gaining popularity due
to its safe effectiveness. I created this company based upon the
issues of physically challenged people and became a bridge between
their physicians. It is changing to the point for patients taking
responsibility to improve their own mindset whenever its possible!
BankAbleBodies - Reply to this comment
- I can appreciate the work and dedication by Irving Kirsch, however, he is obviously not a man who suffers from depression. Touting anti-depressants as not working better than Placebo drugs concerns me greatly. As one who has suffered from depression all of my adult life I can assure him that they do, indeed, work. This is how I explain the difference to those who don't suffer from depression : All my life people have told me I have green hair. Well, I can look in the mirror and see that I have brown, and now graying hair. Once I was properly medicated I look in the mirror and damned if I don't have green hair ! And I have had this green hair all along ! The moral of MY story is that with the medication I see thing as others do, my mind is calm, and I can tolerate the day much better without the constant draining fight going on with me.
Wonder what Kirsch would say about that? - Reply to this comment
- As a psychologist, I am always surprised by how "major" stories such as this one make little or no comment about the comparative effectiveness of talk therapy, often with less severe side effects. Perhaps if counseling and psychotherapy was as well funded and as heavily promoted, millions could be taught methods for sustainably managing their mental health.
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