3 ARTICLES RELATED TO ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATION
ARTICLE #1
TITLE
Do Antidepressants Work?
DESCRIPTION
In this comprehensive and complex article, the author reviews past research on the effectiveness of antidepressant medication. Both research studies and meta-studies were examined. “More people in the United States are on antidepressants, as a percentage of the population, than any other country in the world. And yet the drugs’ efficacy has been hotly debated.” However, in a more recent comprehensive study, it appears that antidepressants can be effective for those experiencing depression. “In other words, this study provides evidence that when people are found to have acute major depression, treatment with antidepressants works to improve outcomes in the first two months of therapy.”
SOURCE
New York Times, March 12, 2018, by Aaron E. Carroll
LINK TO RESOURCE
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/upshot/do-antidepressants-work.html
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/y95evgnl
ARTICLE #2
TITLE
Major Study Finds Antidepressants Work, But May Have Limitations
DESCRIPTION
This article reviewed the same study as the New York Times (Article #1 above). “The results of the study showed that all 21 of the antidepressants were more effective than placebos in reducing depressive symptoms during the first eight weeks of treatment.” The important aspect of this article is that it lists the generic names of the 21 antidepressants studied which permits further discussion with students around the psychotherapy chapters in the text book. In terms of understanding research studies, the conclusion is that antidepressants worked more effectively in the studies when compared with placebos. The studies did not look at a comparison of psychotherapy sessions and antidepressant medication.
SOURCE
smithsonian.com, March 12, 2018, by Brigit Katz
LINK TO RESOURCE
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/yawkqr3y
ARTICLE #3
TITLE
Why Do Antidepressants Cause Weight Gain?
DESCRIPTION
While the debate goes on about the effectiveness of antidepressants, one notable negative side effect is weight gain. “Studies indicate that about 25% of the people who take antidepressant medications report significant weight gain.” “…we still don’t fully understand why antidepressants cause people to gain weight. Theories include that antidepressants may affect your metabolism, or appetite, or cause water retention.” The article points out that individuals experiencing weight gain may now experience other negative emotions related to the extra pounds. It is recommended that the individuals try to change perspective and accept the added weight, if in fact, they experience relief from the depression. Further, the author, a nutritionist, provides tips related to good nutrition and exercise as a means of ameliorating the weight gain and as a boon to lifting depression.
SOURCE
Scientific American, January 9, 2018, By Monica Reinagel
LINK TO RESOURCE
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-antidepressants-cause-weight-gain/
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/y87nz3az
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•Start with the textbook chapters on abnormal psychology and psychopathology: What is depression? How is it diagnosed? What is the DSM?
•What is the difficulty, according to the New York Times article, in determining the effectiveness of antidepressants? (This is a complex question related to research.)
•Are antidepressants effective? How do they work? How are studies performed? Why are some antidepressants more effective than others?
•Why is weight gain often a side effect of using antidepressants? What can be done to prevent this problem?
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