The controversy about anti-depressants.

Recently, a lot of controversy has emerged in the scientific circles as well as the popular media over the efficacy of anti-depressants compared to placebos. One article discusses evidence that suggests anti-depressants are no better than placebos http://www.newsweek.com/id/232781?from=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+newsweek%2FTopNews+%28UPDATED+-+Newsweek+Top+Stories%29 .
A person benefitted immensely by these drugs would be tempted to dismiss these reports as false speculation ( the phenomenon of selective avoidance; we tend to ignore or discredit information with does not agree with our prevalent attitudes ) . Indeed, that was my initial reaction to the report.
After all, the anti-depressants have been approved by the FDA because they meet the stringent requirements for the effectiveness of a drug. Indeed, data available at www.rxlist.com indicates that in the placebo-controlled drug trials, the anti-depressant ( in this case, escitalopram ) have been found to be more effective than placebos in relieving the symptoms of depression , and the difference in the effectiveness of drug and placebo was statistically significant. Two clinical trials showing statistically significant effectiveness compared to placebo , are mandatory.
The clinical trial data seem to justify the FDA approval of the drug. Moreover, it is not just FDA, but drug regulatory authorities of n number of countries that have approved the drugs for use in major depression. It seems highly unlikely that drug regulatory authorities of so many countries were partial in judging the drugs' effectiveness. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK states on its leaflet meant for public reading that antidepressants benefit between 50 to 65 % patients compared to 25 to 30 % in case of placebo. The NIMH website also incudes antidepressants among the treatment options in depression. The American Association for Family Physicians also considers anti-depressants as one of the effective treatments for depression. The Australian National University's BluePages, national initiative on depression, too gives a high "effectiveness rating " for antidepressants.http://bluepages.anu.edu.au/treatments/what_works/medical_treatments/antidepressants A web search on Google Scholar for the term "fluoxetine " produces a research article that establishes the effectiveness of fluoxetine versus placebo. http://psycnet.apa.org/?fa=main.doiLanding&uid=1997-43690-007

In the face of so many independent organizations endorsing the effectiveness of antidepressants, it is difficult not to view the Newsweek article with a healthy dose of skepticism . However , we must not adopt a rigid approach and keep our minds open for accepting new studies which might contradict our beliefs and present knowledge.