Allen Esterson wrote:
> Another view on the current debate:
>
> http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/Antideps27Feb08.pdf
>
>   
Note that the key lines here are anecdotal (and precisely mimic the 
talking points that the drug companies themselves have emitted over the 
past couple of weeks):

"most people suffering clinical depression and, in particular, 
melancholic depression (the 'Black Dog') who take
antidepressants, find them strikingly effective."

"the study attracting media attention was based on trials of 
antidepressant drugs in people whose conditions did not correspond with 
clinical depression as seen by health practitioners"

Of course neither the patients nor the health practitioners have any way 
of distinguishing real from placebo effects, which is precisely why we 
need double blind clinical trials, and why the study they are trying to 
undermine is far more credible than their informal clinical impressions.

By the way, does anyone know what connections Gordon Parker might have 
to the pharmaceutical industry?

Regards,
-- 

Christopher D. Green
Department of Psychology
York University
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Canada

 

416-736-2100 ex. 66164
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.yorku.ca/christo/



"Part of respecting another person is taking the time to criticise his 
or her views." 

   - Melissa Lane, in a /Guardian/ obituary for philosopher Peter Lipton

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