Treating Depression

There has been a lot of discussion over the past few years about the use of antidepressants to treat depression. I have met many people who have or are taking these drugs. Some say they could not manage without them or that they have helped them through a difficult patch. Others say that they have noticed no difference in their mood. Still others balance the medication against the side effects , such as constipation, stomach cramps or a feeling that they cannot think straight.In 2004 NICE (National Intitute of Clinical Exellence) guidelines recommended therapy other than antidepressants to treat depression. This was followed on by research in 2008 which suggested that antidepressants were no better than a placebo in all but some severe instances of depression. It seems that although there is guidance that health professionals should be considering talking therapies and other options like exercise to relieve depression there is no national commitment to this end. A recent article in the news stated that 'three quarters of GPs have prescribed anti-depressants even though they think another treatment would have been more effective'. Considering that one in six of us are likely to experience depression at some time in our life you would think that there would be more help. I am not saying there is none, but it seems to be in pockets and down to the commitment of individuals. Let me know what you think about this subject.

You can read the BBC article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8436111.stm