Depression Scam: Over 92% of Antidepressants Do Not Relieve Symptoms

• Depression Scam: Over 92% of Antidepressants Do Not Relieve Symptoms
  by Isabelle Z., http://www.naturalnews.com/ 
  (NaturalNews) According to a study that is being referred to as one of the most comprehensive comparisons of commonly prescribed antidepressants so far, most of these drugs are ineffective and some might even be unsafe for children and teens who are suffering from major depression.
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  The study, which was published in The Lancet, found that out of 14 antidepressants, the only one that worked better than a placebo was fluoxetine (Prozac). Even more startlingly, in addition to not being effective, the drug venlafaxine (Effexor) was linked with a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts when compared to a placebo and five other antidepressants. The other 12 drugs assessed include imipramine, nefazodone, paroxetine, citalopram, duloxetine, mirtazapine, sertraline, nortriptyline, escitalopram, despiramine, clomipramine, and amitriptyline.
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  The study’s authors caution that the true levels of effectiveness and risks are not entirely clear because many of the clinical trials assessing them are poorly designed, and some are subjected to selective reporting.
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  Study co-author Professor Peng Xie said, “The balance of risks and benefits of antidepressants for the treatment of major depression does not seem to offer a clear advantage in children and teenagers, with probably only the exception of fluoxetine.” He recommends that young people who take antidepressants should be monitored closely, especially in the early stages of treatment.
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  It is estimated that around 3 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 12 and 6 percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 suffer from major depressive disorder. Despite the FDA issuing a black box warning about antidepressant use in people younger than 24 due to the high risk of suicidal thoughts, the use of these drugs rose in the seven-year span between 2005 and 2012. The proportion of Americans younger than 19 taking the meds in the U.S. rose from 1.3 percent to 1.6 percent. The most commonly prescribed antidepressant in our country is sertraline.
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