During my years in general practice, I have prided myself on giving time to patients and this has been especially true with those suffering from psychological problems. I have been aware of the placebo effect of the consultation but was persuaded that depressed patients had a chemical imbalance and that the very safe and effective SSRI drugs would hasten their recovery. After reading Professor Healy’s article, I felt uncomfortable and read 2 books (1,2). These went into much greater depth about the lack of evidence for a chemical imbalance and the curative effect of SSRIs. They are both extensively referenced. I feel embarrassed that I, like most GPs have been persuaded that I should encourage patients to take medications for which the benefits are so poorly shown. How is it that this information is only becoming available after the SSRI patents have expired?
My related fear is that a similar story is unfolding as I write: with DSM-V diagnosing increasing numbers of children with ADHD and thus occasioning the use of controlled stimulants because they have some symptoms, one of which is being fidgety.
1. Davies, J. (2013) Cracked; Why psychiatry is doing more harm than good. Icon Books
2. Whitaker, R. (2010) The Anatomy of an Epidemic. New York: Broadway
Rapid Response:
Re: Serotonin and depression
During my years in general practice, I have prided myself on giving time to patients and this has been especially true with those suffering from psychological problems. I have been aware of the placebo effect of the consultation but was persuaded that depressed patients had a chemical imbalance and that the very safe and effective SSRI drugs would hasten their recovery. After reading Professor Healy’s article, I felt uncomfortable and read 2 books (1,2). These went into much greater depth about the lack of evidence for a chemical imbalance and the curative effect of SSRIs. They are both extensively referenced. I feel embarrassed that I, like most GPs have been persuaded that I should encourage patients to take medications for which the benefits are so poorly shown. How is it that this information is only becoming available after the SSRI patents have expired?
My related fear is that a similar story is unfolding as I write: with DSM-V diagnosing increasing numbers of children with ADHD and thus occasioning the use of controlled stimulants because they have some symptoms, one of which is being fidgety.
1. Davies, J. (2013) Cracked; Why psychiatry is doing more harm than good. Icon Books
2. Whitaker, R. (2010) The Anatomy of an Epidemic. New York: Broadway
Competing interests: No competing interests