The Antidepressant Myth

Professor Irving Kirsch, author of The Emperor’s New Drugs, discussed his research into the efficacy of antidepressant medication. Kirsch argued that, contrary to popular belief, depression is not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and treating the condition with antidepressant drugs is no more effective than placebos.

Kirsch analyzed data from numerous clinical studies on antidepressants and said he was surprised to discover that “75 percent of the response to the drugs appears to be a placebo effect.” According to Kirsch, patients improved mostly because they believed they were taking a medication that would help them with depression. He went so far as to say that the figure could be as high as 82 percent, with the remaining ‘drug difference’ accounted for by enhanced placebo effect.

Kirsch stressed that lack of serotonin cannot be the physical cause of depression. As proof, he pointed to a new French antidepressant that works as a selective serotonin reuptake enhancer (SSRE). This drug decreases serotonin levels — exactly the opposite of how popular SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) medication functions. Kirsch said studies show about 60 percent of patients get better regardless of whether they are on antidepressants that increase, reduce, or do nothing to their serotonin levels. This is a clear evidence to Kirsch that these drugs actually do nothing.

And not only are antidepressants an ineffective pharmaceutical treatment for depression, Kirsch pointed out that they come with a host of negative side effects, including insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and increased risk of suicide in children and young adults. Kirsch suggested alternative treatments for depression, such as physical exercise (shown clinically to help people get better) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which boasts effectiveness comparable to antidepressants. Patients treated with CBT are less likely to relapse, he added. Kirsch also advised people currently taking depression medication to continue if it was working for them.

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Ann’s Story

“Survivor of Domestic Violence”

A young woman full of dreams and aspirations, waiting for a new form of life to begin. Fresh out of high school and a steady boyfriend 8 years my senior, I thought I owned the world.

Unfortunately he became possessive and jealous. He wanted me only for himself and began stalking me at work and tried to date rape me. I ended the situation before it became it worse.

In college I dated a few guys on and off. During that time I became a victim of date rape. I happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Although I know I didn’t deserve to be raped, I never reported it to the authorities.

It was during my junior year I met a most athletic, intelligent, and charming man. We met through mutual friends and we seemed to be an almost perfect match. He treated me like a queen and never a harsh word was uttered. After a very short dating period, we were engaged to be married.

Despite concerns from family and close personal friends, I did not hesitate in making plans for our wedding. I tried to reassure everyone that i knew what I was doing. “We are in love!” My best friend tried to get me to check into his background and I told her not to worry.

8 months later we were wed in a chapel near my hometown. The flowers and photographer were in place, music played and we were announced husband and wife. Due to a long photography session, we were unable to eat dinner with our guests. Instead we changed clothes and headed out of town for our honeymoon.

We arrived at our hotel and he immediately wanted sex. My exact words were, “I need to grab a bite to eat so I can take my medicine. Then we can get comfortable.” In that instant, my life has changed forever. I became a victim of spouse abuse, having not been married more than 3 hours.

It became apparent that he was angered by not having his way. He rattled off every name in the book and I rushed to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. Crouched between the toilet and the door, I cried and begged God “not to let me die.” 20 minutes later he apologized and convinced me it was due to wedding stress. I believed him……And so started the cycle of abuse….

Some people have asked why didn’t I just leave. At the time he prevented me from leaving with threats to myself and thus my family. Threats were accompanied by beatings, followed by more threats. He kept constant tabs on my whereabouts and how much money I had at all times. When I began making friends at a new job, he would make me quit.

He was always careful not to bruise my face as so not to be detected while out in public. Instead he would punch and kick other parts of my body that could be covered with clothing. I had to cut my hair a certain way so that I would be unattractive to other men, a short boyish style. How I missed my long beautiful hair.

So toward the end of the marriage, I began making friends and hiding money in various places. I got stronger in my resolve to get out somehow. I knew for own sake that I needed to get out soon as his temper grew to enormous proportions.

The marriage ended in divorce as he grew tired of me. I was forced to sign divorce papers without having read them first. That week was the last time I was beaten up.

In the 7 years of abuse I was robbed of my self esteem, self worth, 2 babies in utero miscarriages per abuse, and escaped death 3 times. It was quite difficult for me to associate to the outside world and often found myself apologizing even when I did nothing wrong. I had to reprogram myself to understanding that I didn’t deserve the abuse and I was not to blame.

To this day, I still have flashbacks but have gotten to the point that I know, they only stem from past memories. It is all a part of healing cycle.

As a advocate against domestic violence, I speak to groups about abuse and ways to help others in hurtful situations. No one has to settled for abuse. I will not let my abuse be in vain, but rather save someone from the domestic violence name.

If you would like to join a support group online, or speak with me directly…please check out: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dv-angelwings/ .

God Bless!

Ann

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Best Kind of Love
by: Annette Paxman Bowen, A Month of Inspiration

I have a friend who is falling in love. She honestly claims the sky is bluer. Mozart moves her to tears. She has lost 15 pounds and looks like a cover girl.

“I’m young again!” she shouts exuberantly.

As my friend raves on about her new love, I’ve taken a good look at my old one. My husband of almost 20 years, Scott, has gained 15 pounds. Once a marathon runner, he now runs only down hospital halls. His hairline is receding and his body shows the signs of long working hours and too many candy bars. Yet he can still give me a certain look across a restaurant table and I want to ask for the check and head home.

When my friend asked me “What will make this love last?” I ran through all the obvious reasons: commitment, shared interests, unselfishness, physical attraction, communication. Yet there’s more. We still have fun. Spontaneous good times. Yesterday, after slipping the rubber band off the rolled up newspaper, Scott flipped it playfully at me: this led to an all-out war. Last Saturday at the grocery, we split the list and raced each other to see who could make it to the checkout first. Even washing dishes can be a blast. We enjoy simply being together.

And there are surprises. One time I came home to find a note on the front door that led me to another note, then another, until I reached the walk-in closet. I opened the door to find Scott holding a “pot of gold ” (my cooking kettle) and the “treasure” of a gift package. Sometimes I leave him notes on the mirror and little presents under his pillow.

There is understanding. I understand why he must play basketball with the guys. And he understands why, once a year, I must get away from the house, the kids – and even him-to meet my sisters for a few days of nonstop talking and laughing.

There is sharing. Not only do we share household worries and parental burdens – we also share ideas. Scott came home from a convention last month and presented me with a thick historical novel. Though he prefers thrillers and science fiction, he had read the novel on the plane. He touched my heart when he explained it was because he wanted to be able to exchange ideas about the book after I’d read it.

There is forgiveness. When I’m embarrassingly loud and crazy at parties, Scott forgives me. When he confessed losing some of our savings in the stock market, I gave him a hug and said, “It’s okay. It’s only money.”

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I was sexually abused by my swim coach from when I was 9 years old, until I went to college at age 18. For the longest time I knew that the way he treated me was wrong…that he shouldn’t touch me that way, or tell me that he dreamed about me at night, that he shouldn’t put his hands inside my swim suit, comment on my “nice butt”, or rub against my breasts. The most scared I ever was, I arrived at practice early and it was just me and him there, and I went in the building and he pushed me against the wall, and I could feel him hard on me, and I was so scared…but then someone came in, and he stopped.
I didn’t learn until I was 20 years old that my coach had “groomed” me for this. He made me feel special and loved. He always singled me out as “the best” and everybody knew I was his favorite. My dad wasn’t home a lot so he kind of took the place of my father, so I didn’t want to disappoint him….that is one of the reasons why I let him do the things he did.
I still haven’t come to terms with this completely. In my mind, the man as a monster and the man as my surrogate father are separate…and they shouldn’t be. He is a horrible, awful person, and the worst thing is, I know that he is probably doing this to some other girl now, now that I got away. I can’t tell the cops though, I want to, badly, but then my parents would find out, and I don’t want them to think badly of me…and in a part of my mind, I still try to protect that monster.
He is the reason I was anorexic, the reason I was a “slut” in college, the reason I have a hard time with LOVE…
Maybe one day I will get angry enough to tell the cops, please pray that I do!
Cari

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Is someone you know drinking too much or too reliant on drugs, legal or illegal? Or maybe you wonder if you yourself have a problem. About 15% of the population develops a substance-abuse problem at some point in their lives, and even people who do not have a serious issue may find that stress tips them into consuming more than is healthy. Whether they turn to alcohol, prescription narcotics or street drugs, substance abuse can become a coping strategy.

One key to recovery is to learn other coping strategies. The warning signs and what to do next…

QUESTIONS TO ASK

Has the following happened more than once in the last 12 months…

1. Has drinking or drug use caused you to fail to meet an obligation, such as a deadline at work or picking up a child from school?

2. Have you been under the influence of alcohol or drugs when driving or in any other circumstance where you need to be fully alert?Examples: While operating machinery, riding a bike or when alone in an unfamiliar place.

3. Has your drinking or drug use hurt your relationships?Examples: Losing a friendship or triggering arguments with your spouse.

4. Has drinking or drug use caused you a legal problem, such as an arrest for drinking and driving?

Answering “yes” to one or more of these indicates substance abuse.

Substance abuse can lead to dependence — a more severe problem. You may be dependent if you answer “yes” to three or more of the following…

1. Are you using the substance more often or in greater amounts?

2. Are you spending more and more time thinking about the substance, obtaining it and using it?

3. Do you have physical symptoms when you stop, such as feeling “hung over” or agitated?

4. Does it take more of the substance than before to give you the desired effect, so if you stick to the previous amounts, you feel dissatisfied?

5. Do you wish you could cut back or stop, or have you tried and failed?

6. Have you dropped or cut back on “good” activities, such as exercise or making an extra effort at work?

7. Have you continued with the substance even though it is hurting your health, such as aggravating depression or causing stomach problems?

HEAVY DRINKING

People often are surprised to realize that they drink more than is safe. “Low-risk” drinking is no more than seven drinks a week (no more than three on any given day) for most women, and no more than 14 a week (no more than four on any day) for men. Also, most people find it surprising that “one drink” is smaller than they think — five ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor or 12 ounces of beer. For some people, such as those with a family history of alcoholism, the only safe limit is no drinking.

About 30% of Americans drink more than the low-risk limits and are considered “at risk.” This means that they are likely to develop a substance-abuse problem or may already have one. Heavy drinking also increases the risk for many health problems, including liver disease and cancer, as well as car accidents.

QUITTING

If you think you have a problem, there are several ways of reducing your use or quitting. Some people quit all at once… others cut down gradually. However, if you suspect that you have a severe substance-abuse problem, it is important to see a medical doctor before stopping. Quitting can be dangerous.

Example: If you are dependent on alcohol, within a few hours after your last drink, you may experience shakes, sweats, nausea and headaches. After six to eight hours, you may experience hallucinations, as well as convulsions, which can trigger a fatal heart attack or stroke. A doctor may recommend that you enter a hospital. Go to www.samhsa.gov for a government listing of facilities, or call 800-662-4357.

NEW WAYS TO COPE

Once you have decided to address a substance-abuse problem, it’s helpful to adopt new coping methods…

Identify your “substance-use thoughts,” and plan a rebuttal. What is going through your mind before you down the extra martini or take one more pill than prescribed? Come up with an effective counterresponse.

Examples: Instead of, “I can do what I want,” tell yourself, “My drinking hurts the people in my life.” Instead of, “This feeling will never go away unless I have a drink,” tell yourself, “It’ll pass.” Instead of, “I don’t care about the future,” ask yourself, “How will I feel later?”

Practice grounding, the technique of focusing outward when you are hit by strong emotions or cravings. This minimizes the pull of your inner state, keeping you from feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Grounding can be mental or physical. Experiment with different strategies until you find those that work for you. Try reading aloud, counting to 10 or repeating a phrase to yourself. Run cold water over your hands, or clench and release your fists. If you need physical grounding in public situations, carry an object, such as a piece of yarn or a stone, in your pocket and touch it when you’re stressed. Soothe yourself by recalling a peaceful place or thinking of favorite things (animals, songs, people).

Talk to yourself compassionately. Many people are harshly critical of themselves. Strive to coach yourself through challenges with kindness and understanding.

Example: Say to yourself, “I didn’t do well on that job interview, because I need to practice interviewing.” Don’t say, “You idiot, you’ll never get a job.” You might also write down some compassionate statements and read them regularly.

Examples: “You have suffered a lot and have overcome many challenges.” “Even when you were drinking heavily, you always supported your family and showed your children that you loved them.”

Be honest. Secrecy and lies are part of the problem. Honesty can be liberating. Choose the truth — within yourself and to people you can trust. Be aware that sometimes honesty can get a negative reaction.

Example: A drinking buddy feels that you have deserted him because you can no longer meet him in bars. But being honest gives you a chance to form supportive new relationships.

Ask for help. Some people take on too much, adding to their stress. Make reasonable requests of friends and family, staying specific and tailoring requests to their abilities. The help can be either emotional or practical.

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Are you having difficulties in your marriage? Is your first impulse to withdraw or flee from the negative situation?

The journey toward becoming a positive change agent in your marriage begins by saying no to the commonly held myths of happiness.

Myths:

• My state of mind is determined by my environment – and my spouse.
• People cannot change.
• When you are in a bad marriage, there are only two options – resign yourself to a life of misery or get out.
• Some situations are hopeless.

Realities:

• Reality: You are responsible for your own attitude. Attitude has to do with the wayyou choose to think about things. You can choose to believe that there has got to be a way to turn this marriage in a positive direction.
• Reality: Attitude affects your actions. If you have a pessimistic, defeatist, negative attitude, it will be expressed in negative words and behavior. You may not be able to control your environment, but you can control the way you think about your

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It may be helpful to understand a little about divorce and the typical effects it has on men, women and children. The divorce rate in the United States is the highest in the world. Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce. Sixty-seven percent of all second marriages end in divorce. As high as these figures are, what is also true is that the divorce rate appears to be dropping. The reasons for this change are not clear. Many people cannot afford to divorce, many people cannot afford to marry. Another reason is that “baby boomers,” who account for a large proportion of our population are no longer in their 20s and 30s, the ages when divorce is most prevalent. The societal expectation is that divorced life is less satisfying than married life. Divorce is associated with an increase in depression–people experience loss of partner, hopes and dreams, and lifestyle. The financial reality of divorce is often hard to comprehend: the same resources must now support almost twice the expenses.

Fifty percent of all children are children of divorce. Twenty-eight percent of all children are born of never married parents. Divorce is expensive. Aid for Dependent Children (AFDC) resources are drained by the needs of divorced and single parent families; including the cost of collecting child support.

After a marriage breakup, many peoples’ lives can become completely shattered. They feel insecure about themselves and uncertain of their feelings or worth in general.

They mistakenly believe that they’re not good enough to be loved by anyone, fall in love with someone new or that there’s life after divorce!

However, while it’s probably agreed that divorce is potentially one of the most difficult things a person may confront in life, should a marriage break up prevent someone from living a meaningful life again?

Is There Life After Divorce?

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What? Am I saying that love is not important in a marriage? Of course not, but the romantic love which brings two people to the marriage altar – is not that which successful marriages are built upon. So lest we have the impression that romantic love will somehow sustain us through everything… lets just remove that idea right from the beginning and talk about reality.

The kind of love that is truly romantic, is that love which is developed during the course of a life together, with someone whom you have worked hard with – to then claim that lasting love…  which we all dream about.

A successful marriage is something that two people work hard at building together. Marriage requires two people who desire to walk the same walk in life, and in the process, build a successful relationship  – and family life.

There are Three Pillars For A Successful Marriage, which are

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