There are a variety of techniques to help people change the kind of thinking that leads them to become depressed. These techniques are called cognitive behavioral therapy. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
If you’re taking an antidepressant, it’s working, and you’re not experiencing side effects, go on taking it. But if it’s not working, or not working well enough, or if you have side effects you don’t like, talk to your doctor about an alternative approach. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
Psychotherapy works, and some types of therapy have been shown to be much more effective than antidepressants over the long run. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
I do a lot of research on the placebo effect, not just in depression but in irritable bowel syndrome, pain, arthritis of the knee, migraine, asthma. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
Antidepressants can have troubling side effects and are addictive for some people. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
One problem I have with drug companies is that they don’t make all their data public. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
There seem to be many causes of depression. One cause is profound loss, grief. Economic hardship we know is linked to depression. We don’t have a full picture. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
Perhaps anti-depressants should be best reserved for the very extreme cases and, more importantly, for those who do not respond to alternative forms of interventions. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
There seems little reason to prescribe anti-depressant medication to any but the most severely depressed patients. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
Perhaps 10 percent of patients who are prescribed antidepressants are really benefiting from the drugs’ active ingredients. Irving Kirsch Read Quote
