DRUG FREE ALTERNATIVES FOR DEPRESSION & FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES

There are proven non-drug alternatives that make a difference in depression and many functional neurology issues.

Recent review of 47 antidepressant clinical trials has shown that for many people there may be little benefit in taking antidepressant drugs.

Fortunately there are several non-drug alternatives that have been proven effective and should be seriously considered, for many the combination of natural non-drug alternatives may be what they need to reduce or manage their depression.

Non-Drug Alternatives to consider for depression issues include:

• Functional Neuro assessment and Neuro-rehab treatment
• Lifestyle changes
• Exercise
• Reducing Alcohol and Drug intake
• Psychological Counselling
  

HAPPY PILLS “GOOD AS” PLACEBOS!

This has been highlighted once again by the latest research as reported by 7 NEWS in Australia.  Seven News reported that “Happy pills as good as placebos”. Researchers from the University of Hull in Britain, who reanalysed some 47 clinical trials done on many popular wonder anti-depressants found that those on the anti-depressant drugs had no greater benefit than those on drug-free placebos!

Ref: Seven News 27 Feb 2008-02-27

ANTIDEPRESSANTS INEFFECTIVE: STUDY

Extract from article by Julia Medew, The Age, Australia, February 27, 2008

Popular antidepressants are a waste of time for most depressed people, research suggests.

A review of clinical trials for antidepressant drugs regularly prescribed in Australia found they worked no better than a placebo for mildly depressed patients and most people suffering severe depression. The study, which used research on drugs, including Prozac, Efexor and Aropax, that drug firms had not previously released, has been applauded by experts for its scope and integrity.

Researchers, led by Professor Irving Kirsch from the University of Hull in Britain, analysed 47 clinical trials using data released under freedom of information rules by the US Food and Drug Administration. Their research was published in Public Library of Science (Medicine). It showed the efficacy of antidepressants on some severely depressed people was only demonstrated by their decreased response to a placebo, rather than increased responsiveness to the drug.

The researchers concluded there was "little reason to prescribe new-generation antidepressant medications to any but the most severely depressed patients unless alternative treatments have been ineffective".

President of the Australian Psychological Society, Amanda Gordon, and Michael Baigent, a clinical adviser to BeyondBlue, lauded the research for "ferreting out" unpublished trial results. Dr Baigent said doctors had long known that only some people responded to antidepressants. "We're a long way from being able to pinpoint which groups respond best to antidepressants." Dr. Baigent urged people who had benefited from antidepressants to keep taking them.

Ref: Prof Irving Kirsch, Univ of Hull, Britain – published in “Public Library of Science (Medicine) 2008.