Symptoms And Treatment Of Depression. A.D's "Treatment Worse Than The Disease" ?
Q: Findings from an online survey of
2,370 patients treated for depression within the past 5 years show that a
majority report significant side effects.
A:Three quarters of respondents were women. Respondents were either
currently on (78%) or had received antidepressant treatment within the past 5 years.
Overall, 61% described themselves as "somewhat" or "very satisfied" with
treatment.
While on antidepressant therapy, 81% of respondents reported that their
depression continued to "moderately" or "extremely" impair their social life.
Depression impaired family life in 79% and work performance in 72% of those polled.
According to the survey, 25% said that medication had had no effect on
symptoms.
Forty percent reported no improvement in fatigue and loss of energy and
35% reported no increase in ability to experience pleasure while on
antidepressant treatment.
There are about 20 antidepressants available and they all work — but
they don't all work for every patient...We need to continue with research on new
medications...[Patients] shouldn't have to choose between treatment of
depression and quality of life," Lewis said. "Patients are no longer thinking of
suicide, but they can't sleep through the night, they have no libido.
What we need to remember is that no treatment or undertreatment of
depression can be fatal...We also have to remember that there is an average length
of 12 years between the onset of symptoms and treatment. These people are in pain —
and