There is no doubt that depression is a brutal, debilitating and in some cases life-threatening condition. However, what exactly causes depression remains very unclear. This is a debate in medicine that has been going on for years.
The controversy was reignited last week with the publication of a study on the ‘serotonin theory of depression’: the idea that low moods are caused by low levels of the brain chemical serotonin.
The new research claimed to disprove this theory and sparked a wide debate about the effectiveness of antidepressants, as the most commonly prescribed antidepressants work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
It’s important to say from the outset that this study didn’t actually look at antidepressants at all, just whether low serotonin levels are the cause of depression.
But in reality this is unimportant. The idea that depression is simply a chemical imbalance in the brain is clearly an oversimplification, and I don’t know of a single doctor who believes it.
Dr. Max says depression isn’t just a chemical imbalance in the brain and he doesn’t know a doctor who would believe it (archive image)
The truth is, depression is an umbrella term—it’s a symptom rather than a medical condition per se—and it has many different causes. It seems likely to result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Therefore, it would make sense that you would need a number of different treatment options depending on the individual rather than the treatment. You need an arsenal in the fight against depression, and antidepressants are a useful part of it.
I’m not a fan of the pharmaceutical industry or trying to manipulate their data to make drugs seem more effective. I also think that antidepressants are too easily prescribed and access to psychotherapy is very limited.
But that doesn’t mean drugs don’t work when prescribed correctly. Undoubtedly, they work for many people.
It’s important to note that some of the academics involved in this latest research are so-called “critical psychiatrists.”
In other words, those who disagree with the idea of prescribing medication for mental illness are academics, so their results may not come as a surprise.
But are we as a nation too dependent on antidepressants?
The answer is complex. It is true that in some cases, antidepressants are given too easily by abused primary care physicians who only have ten minutes to help patients with complex social problems.
However, there are no pills or potions on this planet that can cause your bully boss to change course, or your bored wife to love you, or relieve the stress of caring for your sick old parents.
That’s not to say that these situations aren’t terrible, but it’s actually normal to feel depressed about these things, not pathological. It’s not a disease, it’s what doctors call “c**p-life syndrome.”
Dr. Max in the picture says that depression is likely caused by a complex interplay of biological, social, and psychological factors.
Sure, social situations can trigger a depressive illness, but all too often people who react to unpleasant, stressful, and scary situations in a completely normal way are given a prescription and pushed out the door.
The downside is that in some settings antidepressants are overprescribed, while in others depression is sadly underdiagnosed and undertreated.
A dreadful London School of Economics study a few years ago showed that mental illness is responsible for almost half of all health problems in people under 65, but only a quarter of people who need treatment actually get them. .
Further research from the University of Aberdeen found that family doctors fail to diagnose major depression in half of their patients and go untreated.
Dr. Max says people need fast, personalized help to fight depression (stock image)
There are large sections of the population that suffer in silence. Some of the highest rates of underdiagnosis occurred in older men, who also had the highest suicide rates.
A covert suicide study found that less than 10% of suicides were referred to mental health services in the past 12 months. How terrible.
For people with depression, it doesn’t matter if the cause is low serotonin.
These people need timely, personalized and specialist help in the form of antidepressants, psychotherapy, social support or a combination of these.
The fact that the evidence clearly shows this is not the case for most depressed people is the real scandal and is what deserves our attention.
JK is right, dignity matters
Max says people should have the right to choose who takes care of them and who doesn’t, and agrees that people should have dignity, as illustrated by JK Rowling.
JK Rowling expressed her support for parents whose 16-year-old disabled daughters were said to be ineligible for women-only support at school. What a shame.
Of course, people should have the right to choose who takes care of them and who doesn’t, especially when it comes to private matters like going to the bathroom. The rights of the most vulnerable are sacrificed at the altar of a distorted view of equality and diversity.
Years ago, I worked as a nurse in nursing homes before training as a doctor. An elderly patient had always asked a woman to help her wash and dress herself, but a year later she said she really wanted me the way she trusted and liked me. Months later, as she was dying, she said to me, “You know, you’re the only man besides my husband to see me naked.” It was then that the importance and greatness of providing intimate care truly became apparent.
Max agrees with the Duchess of Cornwall that people shouldn’t be on the phone during meals
I fell a little more in love with Camilla last week. In an interview with the Mail, the Duchess of Cornwall said: “Families no longer sit around the table. Everyone is turning their phones. You must take them!’ Feel, feel! In fact, I believe so much in joint eating that I often prescribe them to families if a family member has a mental health problem. My only rule is no television, no cell phone.
Family dinners were an opportunity to see when people struggled and to see everything in its infancy. Now half the family is on the phone and the other half is a quiet meal glued to the TV screen. And we wonder why kids have so many problems.
Daily Mail can keep you young! Studies have shown that reading a newspaper can make you feel 13 years younger. I found this fascinating. I think it’s because it helps you stay relevant to the world around you. That’s it: Your mail is better than any anti-aging cream – and it costs a lot less!
DR MAX REGULATION: G&T WITHOUT GENDER
Dr. Max recommends alcohol-free canned M&S G&T and says he usually goes out on “dry” nights.
More and more people are quitting alcohol, and research shows that about a third of all pub visits are now alcohol-free. I often have “dry” evenings. I drank non-alcoholic M&S G&T in a can at a barbecue recently and can recommend it to anyone. It imparts all the complex flavor without the hangover.
Source: Daily Mail
