Clearly there are issues of evidence evaluation in each direction but
with respect to the core issue I see no necessary contradiction here if
we start from the recognition that these drugs do indeed have effects,
but that their effect could never be to 'cure' depression because it
isn't an 'illness' in the first place.
For some people these drugs are positive in that they give them a
chemically-induced holiday from their misery. Just like alcohol and
recreational drugs they induce experiences that allow temporary respite.
(Jo Moncrieff has argued this at length recently).
For others, including those represented by the SUG, they are less
helpful and indeed may even be harmful.
In both cases the drugs are doing *something*, in both cases they are
not curing depression.
J.
This simply
David Fryer wrote:
> Aren't there issues here which need to handled quite carefully - claims
> to be contested as well as ones to be supported - in this reported
> research or at least in the away it is being reported and discussed?
>
> We presumably support the argument that anti-depressants like Seroxat
> can have little effect on conditions problematically diagnosed as
> 'depression' because the latter are largely caused by societal
> oppression which medication etc does not address (except in so far as
> that the behaviour of Big Pharma has been itself oppressive which makes
> it part of the problematic causal nexus).
>
> On the other hand, List members have already expressed solidarity with
> SUG (Seroxat Users Group) in their claims that seroxat has disastrous
> effects on some so we presumably also support the argument that Seroxat
> is a powerful medication which can have a major negative effect on
> health.
>
> David
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Elaine Douglas
> Sent: 26 February 2008 04:10
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Anti depressants 'of little use'
>
> Hi there,
>
> Just spotted this news item on the BBC website related to findings
> recently published from Hull.
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7263494.stm
>
> Would this be an appropriate article for the list to add backing to the
> ineffectiveness of anti depressants? There were good efforts to get a
> statement out to the media on CBT recently. Perhaps something similar
> here would be good. Additionally, perhaps those more involved/aware
> (than
> myself) in the SUG might wish to get a statement going from there? I am
> willing to assist in the process.
>
> What do you think?
>
> Elaine
>
>
>
> --
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--
********************************************************
John Cromby
Department of Human Sciences
Loughborough University
Loughborough, Leics
LE11 3TU England
Tel: 01509 223000
Email: [log in to unmask]
Personal webpage: http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~hujc4/
Co-Editor, "Subjectivity": www.palgrave-journals.com/sub
********************************************************
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