Why Antidepressants Don't Work for Treating Depression

The unpublished studies were not easy to find. The researchers had to search the FDA databases, call researchers, and hunt down hidden data under the Freedom of Information Act. What they found was stunning.

After looking at 74 studies involving 12 drugs and over 12,000 people, they discovered that 37 of 38 trials with positive results were published, while only 14 of 36 negative studies were published. Those that showed negative results were, in the words of the researchers, "published in a way that conveyed a positive outcome."

That means the results were twisted to imply the drugs worked when they didn't.

This isn't just a problem with antidepressants. It's a problem with scientific research. Some drug companies even pay or threaten scientists to not publish negative results on their drugs. So much for "evidence-based" medicine!

That's a broad statement and inaccurate. While scientific studies should include all results, both positive and negative, the truth is we simply do not know enough about neurology, neurophysiology, psychiatry etc.-it's still in it's infancy compared with other human body sciences.

I've tried the antidepressants and I can't take them because I do suffer heart palpitations with them.

Unlike other drugs, antidepressants can up to 2+ weeks to show therapeutic effect, and I do know some people that the drugs do work for them. I'm just not able to take them.

I have to agree with Lilith. I know a few people on antidepressants and they wouldn't be enjoying their life styles now if it weren't for them. Hopefully they'll be able to find the root cause of their depression through therapy and one day be weaned off. But until then, it's best for themselves, their families and coworkers that they continue to take them and be monitored while doing so.

This seed is highly inaccurate and presented from a doctor who is "selling" his own unproven system based on a general "snake oil" accusation being thrown at everything other than his own system.

The fact is that doctors -do- test for thyroid problems and do a number of other screenings as well in the determination of the cause of a patient's depression. Often depression is found to be a chemical imbalance in brain chemistry or at times in bio-chemistry such as hormone imbalances etc. This is solved by medication which attempts to regain that balance much as insulin is used to bring balance to a diabetics blood sugar. It's not easy and it often takes a long time to find the right medication and right dose.

Medication is often coupled with therapy for such things as anger management, counteracting the negative self-dialogue (I'm ugly, I'm stupid, etc) and so on.

It is my hope that anyone looking at this seed and are fighting depression NOT to take this seriously. Do NOT stop taking your meds and if you find they are not working go to your doctor. There are some truly wonderful, low side effect medications out there now such as Celexa. Again, do NOT take this "doctor" seriously but go to your own doctor or if you do not yet have one...find a reputable one in your area for a full workup.

This quack can 'fix' everything from diabetes to autism. Calling him a snake oil salesman is an insult to snake oil salemen the world over. Disgusting. Rehashing a study that is flawed and not taken seriously by peers is disingenous at best. The 'infomercial' doctor is a disgrace. I write this as a living, breathing person on anti-depressants. I would certainly be dead without them. Fail.

This story reminds me of an episode of Law and Order: SVU.

A doctor claimed that AIDS and HIV did not exist and that it was cooked up by the drug companies to keep making profits. He even went so far as to not treat patients who were suffering from HIV and AIDS -- some of which died as a result.

This kind of thinking can be very dangerous as there are many who are easily influenced, looking for a simple explanation for what they are going through and do not want to face the truth.

Beware that Pharmaceutical Antidepressants may cause the depletion of Vitamin C.

Natural alternatives....for your review and consult with your health provider.

Depression

These Foods/Herbs may Alleviate Depression

Fruits

Mango may alleviate Depression (due to its Anacardic Acid and Anacardiol content).

Fungi

Caterpillar Fungus may alleviate Depression.

Herbal Formulas

Kami-Shoyo-San may alleviate Depression.

Herbs

Ashwagandha (6,000 mg per day for at least two months) may alleviate (Endogenous and Reactive) Depression.
Brahmi may alleviate Depression.
Camu-Camu is claimed to alleviate Depression.

Cat’s Claw may alleviate Depression.
Catuaba may alleviate Depression.
Damiana is claimed to possess antidepressant properties when Depression stems from Sexual Factors.

Ginkgo Biloba may alleviate some cases of Depression (by improving Blood Circulation to the Brain).
Golden Root is claimed to alleviate Depression.
Gotu Kola may alleviate Depression.

Horny Goat Weed may be useful for the treatment of Depression.
Korean Ginseng may alleviate Depression.
Licorice may alleviate Depression.
Magnolia may alleviate Depression.

Marapuama reputedly alleviates some cases of Depression (according to folklore).
Noni may alleviate some cases of Depression (according to anecdotal reports). Passion Flower may be of some use in the treatment of some cases of Depression (due to its ability to calm the Central Nervous System).

Peony may alleviate Depression.
Saint John's Wort (900 - 1,050 mg per day standardized to contain 0.2% - 0.3% Hypericin + 2% - 3% Hyperforin) may significantly alleviate Depression - the mechanism by which Saint John’s Wort may alleviate Depression involves several underlying mechanisms:

- The Amentoflavone content of Saint John’s Wort influences Benzodiazepine Receptors on GABAa Receptors.
- The Flavonols and Hypericin content of Saint John’s Wort inhibit Monoamine Oxidase (MAO).
- Saint John’s Wort inhibits the excessive destruction of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters (such as Norepinephrine) by the enzyme Catechol-
O-Methyltransferase (COMT) - due to the Flavonols content of Saint John’s Wort.

- Saint John’s Wort inhibits the reuptake of Serotonin by 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptors (it thereby functions in a similar fashion to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Fluoxetine).
- Recent research indicates that the Hyperforin content of Saint John’s Wort plays a major role in the anti-depressant effects of Saint John’s Wort.

Sceletium tortuosum may alleviate Depression.
Schizandra may alleviate Depression. Sensitive Plant may alleviate Depression.
Suma reputedly alleviates some cases of Depression (according to folklore).

Turmeric may be useful for the treatment of Depression (due to its ability to inhibit the activity of Monoamine Oxidase Type A (MAO-A) in the Brain.
Valerian may alleviate Depression.

Oils (dietary Oils)

Fish Oils may alleviate Depression (due to the Omega-3 Fatty Acids content of Fish Oils):

- Cod Liver Oil may help to prevent Depression.

Flax Seed Oil may treat some cases of Depression.

Oils (non-dietary Oils)

Lavender (Oil applied topically to the temples; or added to a bath) is claimed to alleviate Depression (via its aroma).
Neroli Oil (vapors inhaled via Aromatherapy) may alleviate Depression.

Spices

Nutmeg may exert antidepressant effects in Depression patients.

No mention of side effects, drug interactions, interactions between any of these 'natural remedies' or long-term effects.

I also tire of the the 'suicidality' argument. Proving a negative is no easy task.

While I do believe that food choices and vitamin/mineral deficiencies can have a huge impact on mental health and, IMO, should be examined before jumping onto pharmaceuticals, I know a lot of people (possibly even myself) who wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for antidepressants. I think that they're over-prescribed and doctors are too quick to throw them at patients whom they can't figure out a diagnosis for (because EVERY physical malady without an obvious cause MUST be depression *rolls eyes*), but they are tremendously helpful for people whose brains need a little rewiring.

Finding the "right" antidepressant takes a lot of trial and error and could take years, as it often takes 2-3 months to see improvement. I reacted poorly to several antidepressants (oddly enough, St. John's Wort, a natural remedy, left me doing nothing but thinking of ways to kill myself for three days - good thing it sucked all the energy out of me because I would have gone through with it...) before finally settling on one (Cymbalta) that boosted my mood and didn't give me any side effects. I was actually given it for another condition and found that it had a great impact on my mood, so I stuck with it. Everyone's brain is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. There are so many different antidepressants out there, and like I said, the only way to figure out what works for you is just trial and error.

So yeah, that's my take on it. I think pharmaceuticals should be a last resort because they can screw you up royally (whether it be from side effects or withdrawal symptoms), but they're truly lifesavers for lots of people.

Using the vine to advertise is against the CoH

Gozo, I'm disapointed in you. mrsrachelm is only pointing out the obvious problem with your method of comunication about the remedies you are peddling. Big Pharma is not bad when people are informed of all remedies available, and they can trust that their doctors have their best interests at heart and will steer them from the bad on both sides. People should always consult with their docs. before starting any new treatment. And if they do not trust their doc., then they should find another one. Why do you not advocate for that? I really appriciate the information you have here, but there is a reason lay people do not hold a medical licence, and they should not "Be their own doctors".

Gozo, thank you for your answer, but I was not asking about Nutra-Pharm. I was asking about the "Big Pharma" that you seem to have a beef with. As far as I know, all substances are derived from natural means. Man can reproduce some of them and create a more stable product. Hence, Phamecuticals.

Let me give a little background. I hope this contributes to your seed.

At the age of 8, I was diagnosed with depression. I have been on almost any and all anti depression meds out there. Some worked, some didn't. When I was 20, a psyciatrist diagnosed me with Bi-polar. (it was the wrong diagnosis) I was medicated with Neurontin on top of my anti depression. I went off my med's about five years ago, did alittle bit of recerch and found a competent psycologist. Turns out I have Aspergers and ADHD. The kicker of it is, is that had my pediatrician had knowlege of Aspergers, I would not have had to take all those meds. I don't blame those doc's for misdiagnoses. They were limited by their knowledge base, and doing the best they could with that.

My point is that mabey the reason that anti depression meds don't work for some, is incorect diagnoses, not the fact that they come from "Big Pharma".

I also would like to see medical practitioners study all avenues of treatment, not just allopathy, to be effective as caregivers of our health. I just don't see that coming very soon.

mrsrachelm, thanks for your comment. I didn't take offence at Gozo's comment, as he didn't specify me directly. ;) I know I am a genius. :)