It would appear in the light of recent research that revealed that anti depressant drugs are as effective as taking a placebo, that Tom Cruise’s rant on the Today show in the US may not have been as crazy as we were led to believe. Cruise from his Scientology soapbox decried the use of Psychiatry and its pharmaceutical drugs as
“Pseudo science” he went on to say that vitamins and exercise alone could solve the problems of mental illness and postpartum depression.
The revelations
The result of the research paper that appeared in headlines around the world, focused on studies and clinical trials that were published in highly regarded medical journals, and also research that hadn’t. The current view is that journals are biased as to the research papers that actually find their way between the covers of this prestigious domain. Many well written and researched papers never see the light of day, and its for that reason the study outcomes may be skewed towards those with influence and a vested interest in the outcomes, i.e pharmaceutical companies.
What the study has revealed is that new generation drugs taken for depression may be no more effective for treatment than taking a placebo.
Too late for heath ledger
Its easy to see with twenty twenty hindsight that had this revelation been earlier the death of Heath Ledger may have been averted.With as many as 1 in 5 people suffering from depression at some time in their life and many of that number finding benefit from drug treatment and medical support, should one study overturn decades of research and clinical success stories that have shown their benefit? And remember it was not that long ago Tom Cruise was pilloried for his so called rant against “Pseudo Science” that had him labeled a Nutter!
Comments