[lbo-talk] hmm, and I thought it was talk therapy that was ineffec tive!

[John Thornton]

Many years ago I was prescribed an anti-depressant as a sleep aid.
I was not depressed, I just couldn't fucking sleep.
I was told it might take a few weeks to see results.
In less than one week I was nearly suicidal and fortunately my live in 
GF not only noticed the change (it was obvious to her) but suggested it 
was the sleep aid I was taking.
I stopped taking it and within 3 days was my old non-suicidal self. The 
change was truly unbelievable and oddly I never considered the sleep aid 
as a cause of my hopelessness and frustration. I was truly suicidal and 
it was frightening. I have no doubt the anti-depressant caused those 
suicidal feelings and thoughts.
Just because an anti-depressant works faster, better, worse, etc. than 
the norm for some individuals hardly suggests placebo effect as a 
primary explanation.

John Thornton

farmelantj at juno.com wrote:
> Placebo effect, I would think.  Most of the studies that I
> am aware of concerning the efficacy of antidepressants,
> claim that they take at least several weeks before they
> take effect.
>
> Jim F.
>
> -- Chris Doss <lookoverhere1 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> All I know is that when I took antidepressants about a
> decade ago their effect on me was almost miraculous.
> My depression vanished instantaneously.