This past Sunday (2/19), 60 minutes ran a story on antidepressants, specifically SSRIs (watch video,http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7399362n). The central point of the story was that for people with mild to moderate depression, the effect of antidepressants was not greater than the placebos they were compared to in research trials. Key points of discussion:
1. The drugs were effective, meaning depression decreased in patients taking them. The mechanism of effectiveness, however, was the expectation of improvement, not the active ingredient.
2. Should they continue to be prescribed? They cost money and lead to side effects. The answer may seem obvious, but it isn’t. Part of the placebo effect is believing you got something (paying for it, and getting side effects)
3. What effect would exposés like this 60 minutes segement have on the placebo effect? Placebo works because people believe it is real. If people do not believe in these drugs, then they will be less effective (and so will their placebo comparisons).