Quote:
Originally Posted by Michanne
Holy chemical schamolie!
To the chemical imbalance believers please read:
"The psychiatric profession has finally come clean and confessed on a national media outlet that there is no evidence to support the Serotonin Theory of Depression. Today, on NPR’s Morning Edition there is a segment about the chemical imbalance theory, and virtually all the psychiatrists who are interviewed acknowledge that the there was never any evidence in support of the idea that low serotonin causes depression. But then, amazingly, they go on to say that it is perfectly fine to tell patients that serotonin imbalance causes depression even though they know this isn’t the case."
>never any evidence<
Just to double emphasize…
But then, amazingly, they go on to say that it is perfectly fine to tell patients that serotonin imbalance causes depression even though they know this isn’t the case.
Chemical Imbalance Lie | Depression | Mad In America
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I know how the serotonin antidepressants work: indirectly by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, they increase steroid levels in the body, increasing hormone levels which causes the weight gain often accompanied by these medications. This in turn stimulates adrenalin release creating a stimulant effect similar to amphetamines which decreases some of the symptoms of depression like low energy and decreased interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. Even what I said there is a gross over-simplification of the full spectrum of actions by these drugs. But people who have been treated with antidepressants before, often have recurring depression down the road.
You can't see everything in black and white when it comes to psychiatry, otherwise you wont' get the full picture. Neurotransmitters do play a role in depression, but its not the full picture. I read the research papers, clinical trials and professional journals. I agree with the sum of this article that the advertisements are full of crap.
I also agree with what the psychiatrist says about it being perfectly fine to tell patients the serotonin chemical imbalance theory. Most of them are not going to spend a lot of time researching that theory at home, and having a good relationship, and respect for the higher education of their doctor creates a wonderful Placebo effect, which has been known for years to effectively treat depression. Even the APA admits that the placebo effect produces positive results in up to 40% of patients.
Placebo alters brain function of people with depression
I'd imagine the more elaborate story behind a placebo, the better response to a placebo.
Another good point they are making in your article is about informed consent, I've never actually had a psychiatrist tell me my mental problems are due to some chemical imbalance, but I've seen the Zoloft commercials on TV decades ago (when I still watched television) and they told me that.
My psychiatrist after he did my psych evaluation (a really long, structured interview about my life) told me a lot of my problems are due to circumstances and the hardships I've endured in life. And my struggles with substance abuse and substance dependence certainly played a role as well. His #1 recommendation was CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) but he also offered medications to provide symptomatic relief, which I declined to use at the time due to horrible past experiences with psychiatric medications. Plus I was effectively treating my depression with herbal remedies, which lack many of the life-changing side effects of antidepressants.