The fight about antidepressants: Is there a placebo effect?

I don't know if it makes a difference if the depression is unipolar or bipolar but I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that antidepressants have transformed my life. After 20 years of tears, suicidal thoughts, rage, despair, cutting myself off from everyone and alienating everyone around me, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Five years on, and three different medications - including an antidepressant - I barely recognise my life. I am happy! I take an interest in things, have repaired some friendships, ditched the unhealthy ones and made some new ones. Best of all is the improvement in my relationship with my children and the joy I get from my grandchildren. I still get sad sometimes but I no longer have visits from the Black Dog. My highs are not as intense but I laugh every day... Medication saved my life! Oh and the CBT... without that maybe the meds wouldn't be quite so effective.

I find the common theme in these posts to be, that these prescription drugs assist in disassociating from the root of the depression. Becoming just catatonic enough to get through that dark, enclosing space, where your body feels stitched to gravity. While I do believe that prescription drugs can serve as a bridge from one day, to the next, I feel alternative medicine, and preventative measures are often looked over, as they do not produce the mega buck that is big pharma. I have Citalopram, which I don’t take as prescribed, as it makes me feel like more of a space cadet than I already am. Though I will say this, I left the United States in September, I was growing increasingly disgusted with the mechanics of the machine that is the U.S, and was once again visiting the potential of just ending it completely. What I noticed when I left was how paralyzed by fear I had become. The psychological trauma that had been inflicted by the constant media outlets (which essentially are all the same) was truly working its way into my psyche, which only enhanced the depression. Prior to leaving I was prescribed Trazodone, Citalopram, Xanax, and Savella. This was the remedy for a depressed girl, who was “going through a rough time.” Upon arriving on Cyprus, I realized what a profoundly negative affect the states had on me. It works as a systematic hypnosis for the masses, and slowly steals pieces of you, driving you like cattle to the chemical corral. The media tells you what to think, bombards you with horrific, and depressing stories, and the adverts in between are happy, jumpy, lovely people who took pills x,y,z. (The Media, and the subsequent brainwashing is another story.) Do you feel this may be the same in the U.K? Emmy, I think it is wonderful that you left that ass of a GP, and though a job alleviates financial stress, it certainly isn’t the source of the depression. I find that you actively participating in finding a solution to your depression, wonderful. The fact that you are having this discussion, and sharing is powerful. Don’t lose sight of that. Harry, I agree with your statement about the volunteers, and the time frame involved in testing. It does seem as if the minimum effort required by law is invested, in order to market their drugs. Which, let’s face it, is a multi-billion dollar corporation, and keeping people sick, and on drugs is more of a financial gain to them, then helping. Actually funding therapy, meditation, and healthy living would eliminate the need for them, and it is a sick, eye opening realization in that regard. Martin, that was a great article, thank you for sharing. What I found to be one of the most fascinating points of interest was that post study, they went back to the individual to assess the progress, as opposed to using the data generated by a group of people, rendering it semi-generic to a degree. It’s a dedicated approach, and a very admirable one. To both of the Anonymous contributors, with the BPD, I am not sure if you have entered into Tribes-Recovery-Living with the Black Dog; or, Tribes-Like Minds-How bad are you? Share your thoughts as you have here. As for the pills being a shut off, I tend to agree with this. Which is what I really love about BDT, it is a place where we can all come, and feel safe enough to dive into these serious boxing matches with depression. What I have found, is that yes, those of us who are living with mental illness, regardless of kind, need some form of assistance to find a literal balance within our genetic makeup. However, I think the ‘what’ needs to be more closely examined, and pushed towards more natural remedies, if not completely, then in conjunction with. When I was younger, I participated in rituals which involved LSD, MDMA, Peyote, Marijuana, and Mushrooms. Mostly, I did not indulge in these recreationally; I used them as tools to break the social programming, which constrains the mind from its full potential. My experiences were life changing, and shaped how I embrace the world, and its inhabitants. It also made me realize some of my depression came from the intuitive nature of being connected to everything in this world, and the ability to feel sadness on a level that makes one understand that we truly are in this together. Vibrations truly can be raised through understanding, and having a community that works together to evolve is essential. I’m not saying go out and do these drugs, it takes a lot of strength, a strong mind, and an acceptance that what you see, is not reality; and that is enough to send someone rocking in the corner, petting their kitty far to aggressively. That was a personal experience, but an alternative view to what doctors are popping out to patients like PEZ. I am sure there is a point in here somewhere….. I think the placebo effect runs parallel with religion, we need something to believe in, that will make us feel better, and more whole. The big picture is to take care of yourself, truly start loving yourself, through the means that work for you. That personal endeavor to healing resonates with those who surround you, and spreads. The means to the happiness is personal, but the goal is the same. To feel as if you are, and can be, loved. If it takes a pill, or a toke, or a walk, or meditation, or screaming, or punching, or crying, etc., do it, safely that is. Sometimes you just have to sit down, and have a cup of tea with the Black Dog, and create a treaty. I really enjoyed the perspective that trickled in here. From one Triber, to another, much gratitude for sharing.

When you are in that black mood, its a case of a pill or die..... I am reducing my medication, as I hate feeling dead inside , though I have to be put onto something else. I am once again heading into black mood - tearful for no reason, irritable and the want to put my head under in the bath and NOT have to wake up. I have now been waiting nearly one year for my group therapy, I first came into Mental Health Team's loop 3 year ago. Though since the age of 13 self harming, mood swings, impulsive decision making, impulsive spending, the NOT being possible to have a lasting relationship, the anger as I feel no one is hearing me, which comes out in shouting - has always been in my life! It was pointed out to me by a close friend that she thought I may possibly be Bi polar only for the doctor to diagnose me with BPD. I think your sight could do more to explain BPD - please! It may help others and it would help me when I am having a bad day that I am suffering from an illness and I am NOT a bad person. Dx who loves to loves and hates to hate.

ALL anti-depressant trials are fundamentally flawed and UNDER-ESTIMATE the effectiveness of the drugs being tested. How come? Think about it: When you’re seriously depressed would you willing volunteer to do anything, let alone a drug trial? So, the people who take part are among the least depressed among the population of depressed patients. As they are the least depressed, the effects of anti-depressants will be less likely to be seen. Also, a trawl of the internet shows there is at least one study (probably more) that indicates people who are not seriously depressed can respond to placebos. So, these trials are BIASED, are SKEWED against the population of seriously depressed people. Also, the drug trials only last as long as the first measurements show a “statistically significant difference” between placebos and the drugs in their effectiveness. Longer trials might show even greater differences; however the drug companies are in a rush to get their products onto the market to get a return on the not inconsiderable investment that they’ve made in developing the anti-depressant. This may explain why anecdotal evidence from psychiatrists and patients often suggests very significant improvements beyond that expected from the drug trials.

apologies for the empty post above i have been on/off antidepressants for the last 17 years. I dont think they work, all they do is help you to 'switch off' your brain when you cant bear your feelings, emotions, thoughts. they numb you and that's it, it's good for a short period of time not for years on end. i believe that people with depression should be offered therapy as a form of help, pills should be the 'last resort' not the first one.