If anti-depressants (for the most part) don't work, then why do doctors keep prescribing them?

Question

If anti-depressants (for the most part) don't work, then why do doctors keep prescribing them?

Answer 1

Oh they work if you find the right one. I found that paroxetine helps me. It doesn't take away all my issues, but it does help me. I can think better now and I don't have as much anxiety. I do still have problems but paroxetine helps.

Answer 2

Point me to some research data that backs up your claim and I will answer you. In other words, you are woefully misinformed. They do work.

Answer 3

People want "quick fixes" so they ask for pills...Thay'd rather pump artificial chemicals in their bodies than go take therapy and face their problems...And second of all, doctors get a percentage of money on every prescription they make so...I'm sure you can figure out why they hand them out like candy;)

Answer 4

It isn't true that they don't work. If someone is truly depressed, they have a chemical inbalance in their brain. Which can only be fixed with anti depressants. They are only supposed to be used for a short time to correct that inbalance. The person must recieve counseling during this to correct their way of thinking and resolve problems that also may be influencing their depression. Alot of doctors do however, keep patients on these pills long term. Which isn't healthy for the patient.

When I was growing up...from age 11-17, the doctors kept me on anti depressants. Because I was 'troubled'. These anti depressants I think were only making it worse. They made me angry, self injure, attempt suicide, ect. Later, research told me that these numerous pills they had me 'expirement' with were not even FDA approved for children under the age of 18. Some warnings that I found in books and online claimed that if taken by minors, it would cause suicidal thoughts, and worsen depression. So, your question is legit in a sense. Why were they perscribing them to me with all these precautions in play. Maybe they weren't educated enough about the meds. Or there may be other reasons.

Someone is trying to see how many answers they can get. Please help:

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Answer 5

Money, I'm guessing. I've been on about 8 different brands so far.

Answer 6

I have been diagnosed as being clinically depressed - and take antidepressants.  And they work *very well* for me.  If I wasn't taking them, who knows where or what I would be doing today.



That's complete tommyrot that they don't work.

Answer 7

Some patients never divulge the full range of medications they take. Too many depressed persons "self medicate" with alcohol and illegal drugs, as well as take the pills prescribed. Still, the best way to recover is with conscious life changes and the removal of all drugs from the system.

Answer 8

They get kick backs from the pharmaceutical companies.

Answer 9

They CAN work, at least for most people, in the short term, but they carry increased risks of suicide, homicide, aberrant behaviour, and side effects, such as sexual dysfunction.

Much more info on this topic is is sections 1, and the 1st 3 pages, and relevant parts of section 2 of my website, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris which I found to be quite an eye opener.  

Answer 10

I must inform you that antidepressants do work, but only for people who are actually suffering from moderate/severe depression. The recent story in the news about them being no better than placebo was just a case of misinformation and poor research. Antidepressants have been prescribed for many years now, and have saved lives, as well as helping people to function better in their day to day living. If the contrary was true, then it would be one of the biggest cover-ups in medical history, and quite frankly, absurd.