IT鈥橲 time to bin antidepressants. They are no better than placebos and prevent people tackling the underlying causes of their depression. At least that鈥檚 the conclusion of the latest review of the evidence.
鈥淧eople prescribed antidepressants are always going to think they can鈥檛 deal with problems themselves,鈥� says Joanna Moncrieff of University College London. 鈥淲e鈥檙e prescribing more antidepressants, but there鈥檚 no evidence they make people less depressed. We鈥檙e not stopping or reducing suicides, and nor are people increasingly getting back to work.鈥�
In the British Medical Journal (vol 331, p 155), Moncrieff and Irving Kirsch of the University of Plymouth, UK, reviewed studies looking at the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and Seroxat. They conclude that antidepressants are scarcely better than placebos.
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Moncrieff claims that by manipulating the data, it is possible to inflate a tiny statistical difference into an apparently large effect. She says SSRIs should not be the first-line treatment for moderate or severe depression.
Most experts disagree, however. 鈥淲hile there is the alternative of psychotherapy for milder depressions, the evidence still favours antidepressants for the more severe forms,鈥� says Anthony Mann of London鈥檚 Institute of Psychiatry.
