Drugs that affect serotonin are also a highly effective treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder. Rates of symptom remission (40-60% of patients show a 25-35% reduction in symptoms; 4-5% on placebo) are not as good as treatment with exposure and response prevention (most who complete treatment show 50-70% symptom reduction), but offer many life-changing relief. Of course, relapse is dissimilar. With exposure and response prevention multi-year follow up suggests more than 75% maintain their gains; with Prozac or Anafranil, symptoms return when medication is discontinued for 50-90% of patients.
Franklin, M.E., & Foa, E.B., (2007) Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Dougherty, D.D., Rauch, S.L., & Jenike, M.A. (2007) Pharmacological Treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Both in n P.E. Nathan, & J.M. Gorman (Eds) A Guide to Treatments that Work (3rd Edition) -----Original Message----- From: Wuensch, Karl L [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 2:05 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: RE:[tips] Newsweek's Begley bashes antidepressants SSRIs seem to be quite effective in treating premature ejaculation (or in causing orgasmic dysfunction), so there will remain a market for them even if the consensus becomes that they are not very useful for treating mild to moderate depression/anxiety. I seem to recall that SSRIs have never performed very well relative to "active" placebos. Cheers, Karl W. -----Original Message----- From: Paul C Bernhardt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 2:00 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] Newsweek's Begley bashes antidepressants How has this flown under the TIPS radar (or did I miss the discussion). I've generally found Begley a solid skeptical scientific writer, providing high quality summaries of scientific work. But, found this article not so satisfying. Worse was the counterpoint by a doctor who used the argument none (I hope) of us would support: 'Antidepressants worked for my patients and it worked for me!' The most annoying point was when Begley said that the serotonin link to depression is not established (called it "built on a foundation of tissue paper"). She said it was based in an old association from an early anti-depressant drug and that there has not been any good scientific support for there being reduced serotonin levels or activity in persons who are depressed. I'm hoping someone here knows better. Because it is not a core area for me I have no citable sources. Link to the article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/232781 Paul C. Bernhardt Department of Psychology Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13550.98f958ee1bb503e1fba9c90574ecbdb8&n=T&l=tips&o=401 or send a blank email to leave-401-13550.98f958ee1bb503e1fba9c90574ecb...@fsulist.frostburg.edu The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by Baker University ("BU") and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify Baker University by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=459 or send a blank email to leave-459-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
