Every year about 25 million Americans are treated for depression. Antidepressant medications are prescribed for most cases of depression. Now a meta-analysis reports that antidepressant drugs are no better than a placebo in relieving mild to moderate depression. A meta-analysis examines similar studies to reveal trends that may not be evident from just one study.
The meta-analysis, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, examined the benefit of antidepressants versus placebo in patients with depression. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed the data of six placebo-controlled randomized trials including 718 outpatients with depression. They investigated two well-known antidepressant drugs, Paxil from GlaxoSmithKline and imipramine. The meta-analysis was funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health.
The researchers found that antidepressants were not much better than placebo for mild to moderate depression. However, there were some antidepressant benefits for people with very severe depression. The researchers suggest that many of the benefits from antidepressants may be from the placebo effect.
“The magnitude of benefit of antidepressant medication compared with placebo increases with severity of depression symptoms and may be minimal or nonexistent, on average, in patients with mild or moderate symptoms,” the study authors conclude. “For patients with very severe depression, the benefit of medications over placebo is substantial.”
Exulin Antidepressant Supplement
Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to the symptoms of depression. Taking natural nutrients along with cognitive therapy and exercise can help relieve depression.
Progressive Health’s Exulin is an antidepressant supplement containing clinically evaluated nutrients such as L-phenylalanine, rhodiola rosea, vitamin B6, folic acid, methylcobalamin, St John’s Wort and gingko biloba. Exulin helps restore nutrient deficiencies associated with depression and alleviate depression symptoms.
Elaine’s Comments
If you suffer from mild to moderate depression, discuss with your doctor alternative treatments such as an antidepressant supplement like Exulin, cognitive therapy and exercise. Let us know how it works for you.
