http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2006/03/21/depression-and-antidepressants/ Dr. John Grohol's daily update on all things in psychology and mental health. Since 1999. Fri, 25 May 2012 02:09:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2006/03/21/depression-and-antidepressants/comment-page-1/#comment-639777 Oz Doc Qld Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:40:42 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2006/03/21/depression-and-antidepressants/#comment-639777 As a clinician I am aware of the pitfalls of treating depression. Discussing side effects prior to prescribing and setting a realistic timeline of recovery with patients increases compliance. It's not just the medications that determine a patient's success at beating depression, it's also the patient's physiology. Some patients get early and resilient benefits of antidepressant medication. They just work better in some patients. Some patients on the other hand only seem to get the side effects without benefits. Patients as a group are not homogeneous with different biologies, personality traits, psychosocial factors etc. Psychotherapy by itself can't claim much better results. The best results are probably achieved by combining good counselling and prescribing with psychotherapy. When determining success however one needs to be aware of the end points. As a clinician I am aware of the pitfalls of treating depression. Discussing side effects prior to prescribing and setting a realistic timeline of recovery with patients increases compliance. It’s not just the medications that determine a patient’s success at beating depression, it’s also the patient’s physiology. Some patients get early and resilient benefits of antidepressant medication. They just work better in some patients. Some patients on the other hand only seem to get the side effects without benefits. Patients as a group are not homogeneous with different biologies, personality traits, psychosocial factors etc. Psychotherapy by itself can’t claim much better results. The best results are probably achieved by combining good counselling and prescribing with psychotherapy. When determining success however one needs to be aware of the end points.

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