Last week I ran a story about a new analysis of the effectiveness or otherwise of the most commonly used antidepressants - SSRIs. The new analysis suggests that these drugs are little better than placebo - for people who have mild to moderate depression. They are effective against severe depression. The South African Institute of Psychiatrists subsequently lambasted the media for what they called "sloppy" reporting, saying that there was not enough emphasis on the fact that these drugs DO help in severe depression. As far as I could see, this was mentioned in every media report that I read about the new analysis, but the emphasis was, and I believe correctly, on the lack of effect in mild to moderate depression. To me this begs the question, "why are people being given drugs at all for mild to moderate depression?" Depression is a common illness - and for those who suffer the severe version - debilitating and potentially life-threatening. For the rest of us it is generally mild, related to life events and self limiting - which means that it gets better on its own. There are also good non-drug methods of coping with depression, such as regular exercise, talking about your problems and being helped to cope with the events that precipitated the episode in the first place. While I have some sympathy with the psychiatrists who are now worried that patients with severe depression will feel that their medication is no good, I can't help feeling that they should perhaps put some effort into persuading busy GPs that a pill is not always the answer to every mental health ill.
Bridget Farham Editor https://www.bizcommunity.com