Effectiveness of antidepressants

A report out today suggests that research into the effectiveness of anti depressants has cast doubts on their effectiveness for all patients.

A study by the University of Hull suggests that drugs like Seroxat and Prozac and other newer SSRI antidepressants are more significantly benifical for people with very severe depression.

In most cases when people were given either the antidepressant or a placebo (dummy drug) there was little difference in treatment success.

These findings support what I have felt as a psychologist for a long time. I have treated many people for depression and anxiety and the majority of my clients have been on some form of anti depressant medication to help them. The vast majority of these clients have reported that although they have been taking these anti depressants for a long time they feel no significant benefits from them.

The vast majority of my clients have sought ‘theraputic’ help as a result of their medication doing little to help them.

As a psychologist I am unable to comment on what medication a client takes, but many of my clients find that after only a short time in therapy they feel more positive and as a result discuss with their doctor how they can begin to reduce and then come off their medication.

I would encourage anyone suffering from depression or anxiety to seek theraputic help, there are many types of therapies available that can offer very good support and treatment, and most people find that they can very quickly resolve their issues and feel more positive.

The benefit of finding the right kind of therapy is that a person will be able to learn to think differently and handle many of life’s situations in a more confident way so that they feel in control. Not only will you resolve your current issues or worries, but you provide yourself with the tools to respond more positively to future situations without the need for medication.