Study Shows Antidepressants Do Not Work and Make Depression Worse in Some People
A new study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry has revealed that antidepressant drugs work no better than talk therapy or placebo pills at relieving depression.
In the study, depression patients were divided to receive either the antidepressant drug Zoloft, placebo pills, or a form of psychotherapy called supportive-expressive therapy.
At the conclusion of the study, researchers found no difference in depression symptoms between the groups. Approximately 25 percent from each group saw an improvement in their depression symptoms, regardless of whether they received Zoloft, placebo pills or talk therapy.
In a related study published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry, roughly 20 percent of patients who took antidepressant drugs experienced worsening of their depression symptoms than if they simply took nothing.
Antidepressants, also known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), include the drugs Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Cymbalta, Lexapro, Seroquel and others. They have not only been shown to NOT be very effective against depression, they are also known to cause several serious side effects including sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, epilepsy or epileptic seizures, dyskinesia/dystonia (a severe body movement disorder), Parkinsonism (a sign of future Parkinson’s disease) and suicide. Most recently, these drugs have also been found to increase the risk of stroke.
How to Beat Depression Naturally:
Exercise. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce depression (more than taking antidepressants) with studies showing a 30 to 50 percent reduction in symptoms.
Eat a Healthier Diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables, less sugar, less grains and completely avoid trans (hydrogenated) fats.
Take Vitamin D3, Magnesium and EPA/DHA (Fish oil). These are three of the most important supplements for brain health.
Address Your Stress. Try to eliminate or reduce the source of your stress and have effective tools to manage stress, such as Emotional Freedom Technique.
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