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Title: Study: Placebo performs as well as antidepressant drugs in treating depression
Source:
Natural News
URL Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/034625_p ... epression_antidepressants.html
Published: Jan 12, 2012
Author: Jonathan Benson
Post Date: 2012-01-12 14:14:33 by Original_Intent
Ping List: *The Drugging of America* Subscribe to *The Drugging of America*
Keywords: anti-depressants, FDA, Fraud, Snake Oil
Views: 133
Comments: 16
(NaturalNews) The more that researchers truly study the effects of antidepressant drugs on depression patients, the more it becomes painfully obvious that these mind-altering medications are utterly useless. A new study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealed that antidepressant drugs work no better than talk therapy, placebo pills, or basically anything else, at relieving depression.
For the study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, researchers randomly assigned 156 depression patients to either take the antidepressant drug Sertraline (Zoloft) daily for 16 weeks; a form of psychotherapy called supportive-expressive therapy twice a week for four weeks, then weekly for 12 weeks; or take inactive placebo pills for 16 weeks.
Funded in part by the drug industry, the new study follows the same pattern as several other recent studies that, even though they were not intended to do so, actually expose antidepressant drugs as a scam. Though the study's authors and various commentators were quick to dismiss the findings as not necessarily indicative of the fact that antidepressants provide no medical benefits, any reasonable person looking at the study with an open mind can clearly see that this is, in fact, the case.
At the conclusion of the study period, researchers reported virtually no difference at all among the groups in how depression patients responded to their treatments -- roughly 25 percent from each group saw an improvement in their depression symptoms, while the rest continued to struggle with their symptoms.
"I was surprised by the results," said lead researcher Jacques P. Barber, dean of the Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. "They weren't what I'd expected."
And to those who put their faith in Western medicine's drug-based solutions for depression, how could the results not be surprising? After all, a study such as this one is an embarrassment to both the drug and mental health industries, as it shows that their so-called solutions are no better at treating depression symptoms than taking a sugar pill.It's not that the drug doesn't work, it's that everything works, including the drug!
And in trying to gloss over the results, some outside commentators inadvertently admitted that virtually anything can work to treat depression -- yes, anything. Dr. David Mischoulon, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, for instance, actually told Reuters Health that, rather than disprove the effectiveness of antidepressants, the study actually shows that "everything seems to work to some degree."
So when a scientific study proves that a certain pharmaceutical drug fails to live up to its hype, experts trying to defend that particular drug just have to claim that everything, including that drug, can be helpful in treating a condition, and voila, it is still effective. This is, of course, an amazingly unscientific and absurd way of looking at the findings, but it is the only way apart from scrapping the useless drug that its defenders can (very poorly) try to justify its existence.
Sources for this article include:
http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111221/hl_nm/us_antidepressant
Poster Comment:
Once again the supposed benefits of expensive Big Pharma drugs prove themselves of no benefit. What this study is really saying is that if you are feeling blue (depressed) talking to a friend or any good natured soul willing to listen will help you feel better. Just getting it out, confronting it, and talking about it is good medicine. And the positive side is that talking to someone does not have side effects like migraines, sleeplessness, impotence, zits, berserk homicidal rages, and suicide. (However, WARNING - some people people are extremely boring.)Subscribe to *The Drugging of America*
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#1. To: Original_Intent (#0)
I always tell depressed woman they'll feel wonderful if they have sex with me. Then they laugh and they feel better! Serial killer psychopaths ruin families. Corporate psychopaths ruin societies -- Prof. Robert Hare
I can understand why they would laugh, but what makes them feel better?
LOL! Sometimes laughter IS the best medicine. : ) " If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11 "Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
True. By the way Celente is supposed to be on Rense in about 4 minutes.
Thank you! ...... I'm tuned in. : )
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11 "Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
You're welcome, me too. :-)
I luv him, he says it like no other can and he has "fire in the belly" It is hard to free fools from the chains they revere. Voltaire An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination. Voltaire
The sacroment of matromony coming from Getting-rich....how rich!!!
It is hard to free fools from the chains they revere. Voltaire An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination. Voltaire
Yes Gingrich speaking of the "sacrament of marriage" is like Xaviera Hollander, the Happy Hooker, giving a lecture on the virtue of chastity. Lots of thing can provide temporary relief from depression, but they are not really a treatment. Real depression is much more than just feeling a little down, it's wanting to blow your brains out to stop the mental pain. I take 1200-1500 mg of St Johns Wort a day (an overdose by 1.6X) and it does seem to help. I still feel down sometimes but Im not looking to jump in front of a truck. Is it a placebo? I dont know, and dont care.
#2. To: Turtle, abraxas (#1)
#3. To: Original_Intent (#2)
I can understand why they would laugh, but what makes them feel better?
#4. To: abraxas (#3)
#5. To: Original_Intent (#4)
#6. To: abraxas (#5)
#7. To: Original_Intent (#4)
By the way Celente is supposed to be on Rense in about 4 minutes.
#8. To: Original_Intent (#6)
#9. To: intotheabyss (#8)
The sacroment of matromony coming from Getting-rich....how rich!!!
#10. To: Original_Intent (#0)
And in trying to gloss over the results, some outside commentators inadvertently admitted that virtually anything can work to treat depression -- yes, anything.
...the study actually shows that "everything seems to work to some degree."
Playing naked water volleyball helps lift my mood but I cant do that all the time.
Anyone offended by this post, click here.
 | "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." -Albert Camus. |
#11. To: Original_Intent (#6)
lol......kill yes, pee no.....Panetta the hack.......victory parade. Now for more serious commentary.....
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
#12. To: Original_Intent (#0)
A person could save a ton of money by buying the placebos. This could put the pharmacy industry outta business.
"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.” ~ Patrick Henry
#13. To: abraxas (#11)
Somehow I got the impression that Gerald was not a member of the Leon Panetta fan club. You know, those subtle little clues. Now for more serious commentary.....
#14. To: Armadillo (#10)
I would suggest a full physical work-up. Sometimes undiagnosed and unrecognized physical conditions that are causing pain that you've had so long you no longer notice its source can depress emotional tone. Then look at your diet. Food additives, allergies, etc., can also manifest themselves in other ways.
#15. To: wudidiz (#12)
Shhhhhhhhhhhh! The stockholders will get upset. A person could save a ton of money by buying the placebos. This could put the pharmacy industry outta business.
#16. To: Original_Intent (#13)
lol.......Celente was more upbeat than usual considering the current status. : )
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
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