Pills, pills and more pills

Antidepressants might be largely ineffective, study suggests

Antidepressants should be prescribed less routinely by doctors, scientists have said, after a study concluded there was no strong evidence that the drugs were effective…

New research has indicated the side effects many patients suffer from the treatment may be disproportionate to the benefits it gives them.

Analysis of trial data did not establish any “clinically relevant” difference between volunteers given antidepressants and a group given a placebo, according to a review published in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin…

England has one of the highest rates of antidepressant use in the world, with one in seven estimated to be taking the pills. More than 79 million antidepressant drugs were prescribed in England 2020-21, up from 43million in a decade.

Not a surprise, but 79 million antidepressant drugs prescribed in England 2020-21 is a heck of a lot. Even when we consider what the government is putting us through at the moment, it’s still a heck of a lot. A comment on the piece was interesting though. A long-term user who seems to be saying that the placebo effect works.

Been on them for over 25 years. Not sure that they do very much. I think sometimes the fact you’re actually prescribed something by the Doctor improves your mood.

Makes a chap wonder where on earth we think we are going. Maybe there is some kind of connection with pessimistic politics, because optimism isn’t an easy sell politically. The media aren’t too keen on it either.