I don't know how fine the trend analysis is (how directly is the decrease in the suicide rate mirrored by the increase in the use of these medications each year from 1988 to now?) but if it boils down to the fact, as was stated in Newsweek, that we have less suicides now than we did when the drugs were introduced in 1988, anything that changed either up or down since 1988 could provide an alternative explanation. I would like to see a graphic tracking these trend lines and other societal and economic trends across those years. Even variables with a very direct positive or negative relationship cannot be determined to have a causal effect based entirely on such epidemiological research. As I said before, if there is no better double-blind research at the level of the individual, I will be greatly disappointed. That is where I would look for evidence of effectiveness.
Rick Dr. Rick Froman, Chair Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Box 3055 x7295 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.jbu.edu/academics/hss/faculty/rfroman.asp Proverbs 14:15 "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." -----Original Message----- From: Don Allen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 4:42 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] Re: SSRIs and depression and anxiety Rick- A "third variable" would have to be correlated with BOTH SSRI prescriptions AND a decrease in suicide rate. It would also have to be a logical cause for both. Without such a plausable third variable I think that the correlation should not be dismissed out of hand. -Don. Don Allen Dept. of Psychology Langara College 100 W. 49th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. Canada V5Y 2Z6 Phone: 604-323-5871 ----- Original Message ----- From: Rick Froman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 2:06 pm Subject: [tips] Re: SSRIs and depression and anxiety To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> > Don Allen asks: > > "If you are suggesting that it is only a spurious relationship > then what would you propose as a logical "third variable" to > account for > > the apparent connection?" > > Since this study is totally uncontrolled, how about anything that has > varied in the same or opposite direction as the suicide trend in those > years? How has the stock market or other economic indicators done? > Haveno other societal indicators improved over those years or is > societyjust totally going down the toilet? > > I do believe medication has helped but this is the worst possible > evidence for its effect. If that's the best we've got, I will be very > disappointed. > > Rick > > > Dr. Rick Froman, Chair > Division of Humanities and Social Sciences > Professor of Psychology > John Brown University > 2000 W. University > Siloam Springs, AR 72761 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > (479) 524-7295 > http://www.jbu.edu/academics/hss/faculty/rfroman.asp > > "Pete, it's a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human > heart." > - Ulysses Everett McGill > > > > > --- > To make changes to your subscription go to: > http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi- > bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english > --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang= english --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
