Therapy As Good As Antidepressants (11)

1 Name: Sling!XD/uSlingU 2005-04-05 07:05 ID:iNNPihD/

http://www.healthtalk.ca/depression_040405_90021.php
Psychological therapy is just as good as drugs to treat moderate to severe depression, according to a study

The study found that both forms of treatment worked better than placebo, however, the research team said they demonstrated cognitive therapy prevented relapses more effectively than medication at the end of treatment.

The findings challenge the current practice outlined by the American Psychiatric Association that says antidepressant medications are the only effective treatment for moderately to severely depressed patients.

2 Name: Sling!XD/uSlingU 2005-04-05 07:07 ID:iNNPihD/

Actually, that title should be Therapy Better Than Antidepressants.

3 Name: dmpk2k!hinhT6kz2E 2005-04-05 07:35 ID:tYjFmCsB

I'm actually a bit surprised at the APA. There was at least one study (my memory is poor) several years ago that indicated that cognitive therapy and medication were both roughly similar in effectiveness, and it seems almost self-evident that a way of thinking will have longer effects than drugs do once the therapy is ended.

Of course, the best method for severe depression is electroconvulsive therapy. Hah!

4 Name: Sling!XD/uSlingU 2005-04-05 12:27 ID:iNNPihD/

> it seems almost self-evident that a way of thinking will have longer effects than drugs do once the therapy is ended.

Exactly. Also, with drugs there's dependence.

5 Name: !WAHa.06x36 2005-04-06 20:24 ID:T3rLmvUY

>>4

If you're crazy, and the drugs make you sane, does the fact that you go crazy if you don't get your fix mean you're addicted?

6 Name: Sling!XD/uSlingU 2005-04-06 22:37 ID:iNNPihD/

If one has to be drugged to go on living, is one sane?

7 Name: Unverified Source 2005-04-07 00:59 ID:Heaven

Sanity is overrated. I'd choose wisdom over sanity.

8 Name: Sling!XD/uSlingU 2005-04-07 01:55 ID:iNNPihD/

True, one can't gain wisdom without trying a few crazy things from time to time. The problem is that society is sold on the sanity business. One may end up locked up and drugged into "sanity" forever.

9 Name: Unverified Source 2005-04-08 16:44 ID:Heaven

>>7
when "sanity" means "not cutting off your own limbs because you hallucinate them to be infested with maggots", then I'd choose "sanity" over "wisdom" anytime.

10 Name: Unverified Source 2005-04-08 19:37 ID:Heaven

>>9

Extreme cases aren't really a good point in an argument. There are plenty of people who are considered to be mentally unstable who would be better of just dealing with their lives instead of going through some kind of bogus treatment.

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