If nothing else, the recent earthquake in Haiti should give us perspective with all that we have in our lives. We can focus on the stock markets correction or other negative things. But, we are alive. Our economy didn't collapse. We have clean water and food. We didn't lose our homes.
Most of us were born in the United States. Perhaps by accident? Why weren't WE born in Haiti? Or in Darfur? Or other places with vast disease and lacking adequate food, shelter, medicine, jobs, etc? What did we do to be born in the world's greatest country? Many of us come from modest means. But took advantage of opportunities available to many of us.
Some look away from this tragedy out of indifference. Others don't follow very closely, as they would otherwise be so overwhelmed by the sheer horror that many are continuing to experience.
I think that we minimally should acknowledge that we could have just as easily to have been born in Haiti or other undeveloped countries. For those of faith, we need to offer prayers for Haiti and other places of great need. We need to continue to give thanks for our many blessings. When you open your heart, how can you not do something? I for one, believe that we ARE our brothers' keepers.
Best wishes,
Mike
http://drmikemiller.com
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Commentary About Study Questioning Anti-Depressants Effectiveness for Mild to Moderate Depression
An article just published in The American Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) questions the efficacy of the use of anti-depressant medications (ADM) with mild to moderate depressions. The article is not an easy read! Here is an abstract from JAMA.
It looked at six studies with randomized control groups. Three of the studies evaluated imipramine (an older anti-depressant) and three evaluated Paxil. The conclusion is that ADM may be no better than placebo for mild to moderate depression. Further, that there was greater change with ADM as the depression was more severe. The authors reported that it has been known for more than 50 years that more severe medical and psychiatric conditions respond to a greater degree than less severe conditions.
It was also reported that FDA studies of ADM study only those with severe depressions, which they correctly report are not the impressions that Pharma's advertising gives us.
One statement in the Abstract is questionable: “Antidepressant medications represent the best established treatment for major depressive disorder.” Studies comparing ADM with several brief psychotherapies show that the latter are equally effective to ADM. Other studies show regular exercise to also be very effective. Further, therapy and exercise have dramatically lower relapse rates.
So what does this mean if you are on ADM? My suggestion is that if it is working, continue it. Don't suddenly stop altogether. Direct your questions and concerns to your prescribing physician. However, be aware that much of what many physicians know about medications, especially newer ones, is given to them by drug representatives.
It looked at six studies with randomized control groups. Three of the studies evaluated imipramine (an older anti-depressant) and three evaluated Paxil. The conclusion is that ADM may be no better than placebo for mild to moderate depression. Further, that there was greater change with ADM as the depression was more severe. The authors reported that it has been known for more than 50 years that more severe medical and psychiatric conditions respond to a greater degree than less severe conditions.
It was also reported that FDA studies of ADM study only those with severe depressions, which they correctly report are not the impressions that Pharma's advertising gives us.
One statement in the Abstract is questionable: “Antidepressant medications represent the best established treatment for major depressive disorder.” Studies comparing ADM with several brief psychotherapies show that the latter are equally effective to ADM. Other studies show regular exercise to also be very effective. Further, therapy and exercise have dramatically lower relapse rates.
So what does this mean if you are on ADM? My suggestion is that if it is working, continue it. Don't suddenly stop altogether. Direct your questions and concerns to your prescribing physician. However, be aware that much of what many physicians know about medications, especially newer ones, is given to them by drug representatives.
Friday, January 8, 2010
email reponse to feature on depression by WCPN
This morning, there was a segment on depression treatments on our local public radio station (WCPN). It was 99% about medical (brief reference to exercise at end) treatments, i.e., anti-depressants, deep brain stimulation, etc. This unbalanced and shallow report bothered me enough to email WCPN. Below is the email I sent to them. I am interested in how YOU feel about this.
Your brief report on depression was woefully lacking. One was left with the impression that the only treatments for depression depression are medical. It is clear that Ms. Cuda had little prior knowledge about depression and that her sources were MDs, medical websites, and/or drug companies.
There have been debates in the past that depression was biological OR psychological. For 25 years, most acknowledge it is BOTH. It would be more accurate to describe it as a bio-psycho-social process.
Trauma can alter one's biology. Negative thoughts can also alter one's biology. Turning the negative thoughts around can IMPROVE one's biology. Schwartz showed this about 20 yrs ago with PET scans of those treated for OCD.
I missed ANY reference to brief psychotherapies that have proven at least equally effective as the anti-depressants. There is about 35 yrs of research that prove this. The research with exercise is another 5 to 10 yrs longer.
A good place to get a more balanced understanding of depression is http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
While a study reported this week questions the efficacy of anti-depressants for mild to moderated depression http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2010/01/antidepressants-most-effective-for-severe-depression-best-buy-drugs-for-treating-depression.html do NOT make the mistake that this message is an attack on medications. Rather, it is a criticism for a lack of depth and balance. I expect MUCH better from WCPN.
Mike Miller, PhD
Psychologist
http://drmikemiller.com/depression.html
Your brief report on depression was woefully lacking. One was left with the impression that the only treatments for depression depression are medical. It is clear that Ms. Cuda had little prior knowledge about depression and that her sources were MDs, medical websites, and/or drug companies.
There have been debates in the past that depression was biological OR psychological. For 25 years, most acknowledge it is BOTH. It would be more accurate to describe it as a bio-psycho-social process.
Trauma can alter one's biology. Negative thoughts can also alter one's biology. Turning the negative thoughts around can IMPROVE one's biology. Schwartz showed this about 20 yrs ago with PET scans of those treated for OCD.
I missed ANY reference to brief psychotherapies that have proven at least equally effective as the anti-depressants. There is about 35 yrs of research that prove this. The research with exercise is another 5 to 10 yrs longer.
A good place to get a more balanced understanding of depression is http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
While a study reported this week questions the efficacy of anti-depressants for mild to moderated depression http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2010/01/antidepressants-most-effective-for-severe-depression-best-buy-drugs-for-treating-depression.html do NOT make the mistake that this message is an attack on medications. Rather, it is a criticism for a lack of depth and balance. I expect MUCH better from WCPN.
Mike Miller, PhD
Psychologist
http://drmikemiller.com/depression.html
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