Do Antidepressants Work?

   It is very difficult to assess the efficacy of antidepressants in a heterogeneous disorder like depression. In the first place, 80% of antidepressants are prescribed by non-psychiatric doctors! (make it a point, antidepressants are the second most commonly prescribed drugs for chronic disorders today.)  Around 33% of the patients who take antidepressants for moderate to severe depression report a noticeable effect after 6-8 weeks of treatment, 33% report partial relief and remaining 33% are not affected. Moreover, one needs to wait for at least 6 weeks to make sure that the drugs are producing the desired effect. And >65% of those who stop antidepressants experience remission in just 6 months! Thus, the efficacy of antidepressants is unequivocal. Moreover, antidepressants cannot be used in children and they are not the first line treatment in adolescents. Saint John's Wort (Hypericum) is as effective as any antidepressant prescribed by neuro-physicians. Moreover, it doesn't produce any unpleasant side effects whatsoever as reported by the antidepressants which is the main reason for discontinuing the drug therapy by patients.

Depression Appalling Statistics:

   At any point of time, 5% of the world's population suffers from clinical depression with average age of onset being 32, the peak age being 45 to 55.


   Only 35% of the people suffering from depression seek medical treatment. 65% are not optimistic about the outcome, so they just neglect medical aid. If there is a family history of depression, 1 in 4 members of the family will suffer from depression. Females are twice as likely to suffer from the depression as males.


   If you are suffering from cancer or diabetes or blood pressure, there is 25% chance that you will suffer from depression. If you have Parkinson's disease or an eating disorder, the chances escalate to 50%.

   The impact of depression on the economy of any industry or any country is significantly higher than that caused by cancer or diabetes or blood pressure due to reduced productivity. It is like a tip of the iceberg which could not be felt in spite of its dominant prevalence.

   65% of the total suicides are attributed to the misdiagnosed or untreated depression, with the prevalence being 7 times higher in males than females.

What is the Best Treatment for Depression?


Based on a research that spanned over a period of 15 years, involving 100000 cases of depression, it could be encapsulated as below:


• Depression should never be treated by drugs alone because the relapse rates are very high. ~ 70%

 • The willingness of the patient to get over the depression and co-operate with his psychotherapist, points towards highest chances of recovery.

 • Every patient with depression must be given emotional support. In fact, having emotional needs to be fulfilled is one of the most important factors that constitutes the basic needs of any human being.

 • Lifestyle changes are mandatory. The more one moves closer to nature, the earlier he will get over his depression.

 • As the sleep cycle starts coming back to normal pattern, the veil of depression starts thinning out. Meditation followed by relaxation techniques help a great deal in this regard.

• In all cases of moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is a must. It involves:



1. Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Helping the patient to interpret the situation rationally and react to it in a positive manner.

2. Behavioral Therapy: If wrong behavior produces depression, the right behavior will counteract it. Behavioral therapy involves unlearning wrong behavioral patterns and learning the right ones.

3. Interpersonal Therapy: Certain interpersonal relationships are complex. Interpersonal therapy involves psychotherapy towards improving such relationships by training the patient to increase his tolerance and finding our own discrepancies rather than those of the partner.

Most useful books on depression

   Kristian Hall, discusses various techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychology which helped him overcome his 11-year long depression

   The author discusses many hidden causes of depression in the present generation which is exposed to an unprecedented number of chemicals. The causes that even physicians can't diagnose. Take control of your system and do away with all those drugs.

   Cold could be defeated by heat, darkness could be overcome by light. So why can't negativity be overcome by positive thinking? Rhonda Byrne discusses a very masterfully proven life-changing secret.

   If you hate taking drugs, this book is just for you. Stephen Ilardi, who acquired inspiration by the extraordinary resilience and pliability of aboriginal groups puts forth a six-step clinically proven program to combat depression.

   Sexual abuse can lead to one of the worst types of depression. As a rape crisis Counselor, Robert Uttaro, gives a definite hope to depression victims when it is possible to cure a worse type like the one which arises out of sexual abuse. A sterling account based upon the true life stories of the rape victims who made a successful you turn back in their life.
References: