In recent days, reports were published regarding the effectiveness of anti depressants, (see blog) Prozac, Seroxat, Effexor and Serzone, do they work?
These studies were undertaken in the UK, USA and Canada by leading researchers including Prof. Irving Kirsh, from the department of psychology at Hull University (UK), and Guy Sapirstein, and published in the journal PLoS (Public Library of Science) Medicine, titled ‘Listening to Prozac but hearing placebo’ stating that when all research data was brought together, it appeared that patients who had taken antidepressants had improved, but then those taking a placebo or sugar pill improved just as much.
So where does this leave Alternative Therapies as against antidepressants?
There are so many “alternative therapies” out in the world NLP, hypnotherapy, TA, Gestalt, CBT, HCBT (Click for descriptions of therapies) and many, many more. It has been reported that there are perhaps more than 400 different therapies.
Taking antidepressants such as Prozac, seemed to the reteachers to have effect only on those clients who had or were in deep depression, with little or no effect on those with mild depression.
Taking Prozac, et al, also can give sufferers unwanted side effects, and it has been stated that, the occurrence of individual side effects in depressed subjects treated with fluoxetine (Prozac) and each comparator antidepressant have not been systematically investigated, but it has been reported by individual patients of having, insomnia, agitation, tremor and anxiety, and gastrointestinal adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and anorexia. (Brambilla P, Cipriani A, Hotopf M, Barbui C. Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. March 2005).
Why are antidepressants given by our doctors? They are easy to administer, the patient believes that they are taking a treatment to cure their state of depression, the pills are cheap, and being that in our society, many GP’s (General Practitioner – doctors), are only allocated a set time per patient, perhaps ten minutes, they have no time to offer alternative treatments.
So cost is major factor, as is time. But as shown by the report of Prof. Irving Kirsh, belief is perhaps the key to the success of the drugs, the belief of the patient that they are getting a treatment, known as the placebo effect.
Other alternative treatments can involve NLP, hypnotherapy, TA, Gestalt, CBT, CBH, etc, and typically a “therapist” would be with the client for say one hour per session, and in most treatments, the sessions between the therapist and the client will be spread over a number of weeks, costing money. Time a GP does not have and cannot take, and cannot allocate from tier budgets.
NLP, hypnotherapy, TA, Gestalt, CBT, CBH, et al, have been found to be an effective treatment for many psychological problems, but they are not a panacea, a cure all, an answer for anything, there is a place for drugs, for operations, and one treatment may be better than another in certain situations.
It depends upon the willingness of the patient or client to make a change in themselves, for example I cannot stop a person to stop smoking if they do not wish to.
I am often asked, “I want you to stop my partner smoking“. I ask, “Do they want to stop? If they don’t, then I can’t make them.”
It depends upon the knowledge of the “therapist” or “practitioner”, and their ability to use the skills they have learned.
It depends upon the congruence or trust between the client and practitioner. If the client does not trust or believe in the treatment or practitioner, then it will be very difficult.
“But where is the evidence?” This is a statement made by some people especially the medical profession, where everything needs to be evidence based, treatments have to be researched, documented and published. Well antidepressants had been prescribed on evidence based research, but most of the contrary evidence was not conveniently taken into consideration, as with Prozac, Seroxat, Effexor and Serzone and more.
Alternative therapies have been given throughout human existence, but especially with people such as Mesmer, Braid, Freud, Jung, Fritz Perls and more, each having their own understanding and methods of treatments.
Now, this is it, each works in their way, some yes better than others. For me I have studied at a deep level many treatments, including NLP, hypnotherapy, hypnosis, Reiki, TA, Gestalt, CBT, HCBT (Click for descriptions of therapies) etc, and so far they seem to work with no side effects and they are quick and last. I use what is appropriate at that time to me and the client. Each treat
ment seems to borrow from the next, some are exactly the same as another treatment but has been given another name.
Evidence? I will supply names of clients. If you want treatment from a practitioner, ask for references.
By the way, the best way to get out of depression is, firstly know there is depression, to take exercise, laugh, start to enjoy life, and change the state.
If you need help, and want to consider NLP, Hypnotherapy, HCBT or just want to talk, call on (UK) 0845 130 6213, Skype me @ NLPNOW, or email holt@nlpnow.net. I can visit you, no matter where you are, for that one session to put you on the road you wish to travel.
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