<p>Mainly because they are not scientifically proven to treat anything. We can see/detect that somebody has diabetes and we can see scientifically that insulin works for this disease. Psychotropic drugs don’t work like this, at our current level of scientific understanding, we cannot physically see mental illness (other than degenerative) and due to that we cannot directly treat it. So we are forced to use unscientific methods, like feeding rats SSRI’s and grinding them up, then checking serotonin levels.</p>
<p>It comes down to if you want your doctor to be a scientist or a friend. Most people prefer the former, and thats the reason people are skeptical. </p>
<p>All current scientific research shows that antidepressants are no more effective than a placebo in a number of double blind trials. We can dance around and say that they most certainly work due to personal experience, but such is not objective. Subjectivity is not science. Im sure somewhere there are studies which show they do work, but its not current. If the drugs work for you stick with em, if not try something else.</p>
<p>There are other things people can try other than prescription drugs. Talk Therapy is nearly 72% effective according to the last time I checked with little chance of relapse.</p>
<p>Well my doctor is both a scientist and a friend… he’s an M.D. We had quite a few therapy sessions before he recommended Lexapro. But I do agree with your post.</p>
<p>When used properly, anti-depressants are more effective than the placebo (and despite what people have been posting, this HAS held true in double blind trials.) It’s important for your psychiatrist to analyze your specific case though, and choose what’s best for you. If symptoms indicate a norepinephrine deficiency, SSRI’s probably won’t help.</p>
<p>" According to the published literature, it appeared that 94% of the trials conducted were positive. By contrast, the FDA analysis showed that 51% were positive. Separate meta-analyses of the FDA and journal data sets showed that the increase in effect size ranged from 11 to 69% for individual drugs and was 32% overall."</p>
<p>Well, I apologize for making an incorrect statement, Northstarmom. I’m only trying to relate my own experiences. Nothing I say is a professional opinion as is quite clear, but the advice I’ve been given by professionals is that medication is never going to work magic and that a lot of hard work and a desire to change is necessary as well. I hope that clarified my point.
Also, almost all the work I personally have done with therapy is changing my thought patterns and lifestyle changes. Obviously, not everybody needs to make such changes, but that has been my experience.</p>
<p>Also, I think that this discussion is veering from the original purpose of the thread. The OP is going through difficulties that probably require more attention than an argument on the effectiveness of SSRIs.</p>
<p>It so happens that these trails can be hand selected by the drug companies before submission and they mag gag any other scientific study funded by them as well.</p>
<p>I read the entire original article, thanks. Some limitations in the conclusions where noted, BTW. Still, the effect size suggests AD’s are better then placebo in many of the 74 studies the review looked at.</p>
<p>vs</p>
<p>“All current scientific research shows that antidepressants are no more effective than a placebo …”</p>
<p>Maybe "current scientific research shows that antidepressants are no more effective than a placebo in a number of double blind trials. "?</p>