The REDUCE trial, finally published last month, established that nearly 60% of those prescribed antidepressants were unable, for whatever reason, to stop them. The REDUCE trial chose not to comment on this. Peer Reviewers supported this omission. The media followed suit.
Something is going on here.
This was a key recommendation of Defeat Depression Campaign:
Following publication of the REDUCE trial, the lead author has been asked questions. If I was on social media I would ask:
The 1990s Defeat Depression Campaign was based on a prevalence of 1 in 20 having ‘clinical’ depression [based on a ‘consensus’ conclusion of experts]. Why then are nearly 1 in 5 adults prescribed an antidepressant today?
The REDUCE trial does not even begin to address this. This has not stopped the lead author to state: “stop blaming people who need long term treatment to remain well”.
Something is going on here.
When psychiatrists in 2023, 2024 are still prescribing drugs in the initial, first consultation period – even though this first session is the 50 minute hour – it would surely demonstrate the mindset and attitude, motivation, intention.
Further sessions with the same doctor, are for prescription checks – whether to stay on current, increase dose, change to other drug, add other drug. And then repeat at twice weekly, weekly, then fortnightly intervals, until experimentation with drugs has brought some indication of change. By this time, the drugee, is quite sedated and likely not aware, or happily euphoric and not really invested in any further insights.
The doctor, well s/he can bill these 10 to 15 minute “hours” 4 times an hour as opposed to once an hour.
Hmmmm – this is the DSM ICD et al model of “care”? This is an individual’s choice in their model of care. And collectively the herd can run freely. Should the drugee be “non-compliant” or “difficult” they are removed from the practice by any number of – legal – overt and covert ways. e.g. Dr will be away, find someone else; condition changed – not my speciality; I can’t prescribe [you] drugs, so here is the name of a social worker, and go back to [your] GP