I would emphasize that there is a widespread misunderstanding about the
efficacy and effectiveness of anti-depressants in treating either depression
*or* anxiety, and that, at least in the case of depression, these drugs
don't have greater than 10-15% advantage over placebos. There is even some
speculation that the actual advantage of antidepressants over placebos is
lower given that most trials use inert rather than active placebos. This
tips off study subjects that they have received a placebo, artifactually
lowering the rate of placebo response. There are other reasons why the
10-15% advantage figure is probably overly generous.
In the case of anxiety, my own impression (unlike the depression stats, no
back up data at my fingertips here) is that the best that pharmacologists
seem to have been able to offer is various drugs that make you sleepy,
something that many anxious people look forward to.
Paul Okami
----- Original Message -----
From: "Annette Taylor, Ph. D." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 12:09 PM
Subject: [tips] SSRIs and depression and anxiety
I was telling students in class that SSRIs are effective for treating both
anxiety and depressive disorders. A student who was paying attention
wanted to know how the same drug can work to help a disorder that seems to
be based on a hyperactive nervous system and on anoter disorder based on
apparently a hypoactive nervous system.
I gave what I thought was an adequate answer but I'd like to hear from
tipsters.
Thanks
Annette
Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D.
Professor of Psychology
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
619-260-4006
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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