For people suffering with depression, often finding the right medication can be a true life saver. However, a new study is suggesting that not everyone with depression does better on the medications designed to treat their mental health. For some, they may be worse off on these medications than without them.
The study
The major study, which was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, looked at 2515 patients who were suffering from major depression. For the study, the researchers looked at seven randomized double-blind clinical trials of duloxetine vs placebo and comparator SSRI. Researchers then looked at the trajectories of the patients following the Hamilton Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores during treatment. What they found was that not all patients did better when on the medications.
The subjects in the study were divided into two groups. The responders, roughly 76 percent of the patients, were those who appeared to respond favorably to the medications. The second group, the non-responders, did not respond favorably to the medications. In fact, the researchers found that the non-responders seemed to have worse HAM-D scores over time than patients treated with placebos. For these patients, giving them a placebo would have been a healthier option than the medications they were taking.
Though these responders did not seem to improve when on anti-depressant medications, they still suffered from the side effects associated with these medications. According to Reuters, these side effects may be the reason the non-responders seemed to have worse depression symptoms than the responders. Michael Thase, a psychiatrist from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, who responded to the study, said that the side effects, such as stomach problems and poor sleep, would make those who were not responding well to the medications actually begin to feel worse.
What is depression
According to Web MD, major depression is more than just feelings of sadness. Major depression can include symptoms such as loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, impaired concentration, and a loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities. People with major depression also tend to have reoccurring thoughts of death and suicide.
Currently, it is estimated that 6.7 percent of the population over 18 suffer from major depression at least once in their lives. Women are more likely to suffer from major depression than men, presumably because of the hormonal changes that affect women more frequently than men. However, the National Institute on Mental Health warns that suicide rates among men are four times higher than for women.
Depression is a growing issue
In the US, anti-depression medication is on the rise. According to CBS News, over the last ten years, use of these medications has risen 400 percent. More and more people are turning to these medications to help treat their depression symptoms. However, if this new study is correct, one-fifth of these patients are not getting better. In fact, some may be getting worse. Doctors may need to more closely monitor patients that they have prescribed anti-depressant medications to in order to make sure they are truly getting the right treatment for their depression. Already depressed patients who begin to feel worse may be at a higher risk for suicide.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Do not start or stop medications without first consulting with a qualified mental health professional. Anyone experiencing signs of depression or medication side effects is advised to consult with a mental health professional.
Join the Conversation