A new study from Yale University raises additional concerns about the use of antidepressants.

The study pooled and examined data from previous research trials and found that, while the vast majority of depressed people who take medication improved significantly (and much more than if they were given sugar pills), those who do not improve–about 20 percent in this study–actually did worse than they would have on sugar pills.

This stark finding–that a fifth of depressed patients would actually be better off with placebos than real antidepressant pills–means that doctors must be very alert to who is responding to antidepressants and who is not.  they need to select antidepressants carefully, matching the likely effects and side effects with a patient’s particular symptoms, then change medications within weeks, when indicated for particular patients.

For patients, this study means that they should be telling their doctors when antidepressants seem to be making them feel more anxious or less energized or even sadder, as soon as they have those experiences. because “riding it out” for eight weeks or longer, in order to “get the therapeutic effect” of particular medications may be unwise.  When antidepressants don’t seem to be improving things, and instead seem to be making a person’s condition worse, other medications or other treatment modalities should be used, instead.

The notion of stopping medicine that seems to be causing trouble, rather than helping, might seem obvious, but some clinicians have traditionally believed that patients need to “ride out” feeling badly on antidepressants, until the therapeutic effects can take hold.  This remains a judgment call, but the Yale data makes it plain that looking to alternatives, instead of looking to the future, might be the wiser course.

While it has become commonplace for family physicians and even nurses to prescribe antidepressants, this study also highlights the importance of patients seeking out experts who use psychiatric medications routinely and who have a good reputation for getting good results with them.  Prescribing antidepressants is a clinical art, no different than prescribing a regimen of heart medications for folks with cardiac illness.  You wouldn’t want to rely on me to treat your cardiac arrhythmia and you probably don’t want to rely on anyone other than a psychiatrist (and one who has a good deal of experience using both psychotherapy and medications) to treat your major depression.

In my practice, I often change patients’ antidepressants relatively quickly, in order to minimize side effects and achieve early reductions in symptoms.  I often add medicines that augment the antidepressant’s effectiveness, or that target particularly troubling symptoms, like anxiety or sleeplessness.  I sometimes use psychopharmacologic strategies to eliminate or reduce side effects.  This requires that I be in frequent touch with patients and that I be willing to take action quickly and decisively.  It also requires that I listen very carefully to the nuances of what patients tell me about how they are feeling on these powerful medicines.

I always have told people that they should be very active managers of their own psychiatric care. now, the data is stronger than ever supporting the importance of being willing to speak up and make it clear when something different or something more need be done.

Dr. Ablow is the author of “Inside the Mind of Casey Anthony.” he is a psychiatrist and member of the Fox News Medical A-Team. Dr. Ablow can be reached at info@keithablow.com. His team of Life Coaches can be reached at lifecoach@keithablow.com.

Symptoms of depression may vary from person to person. Also symptoms in teenagers are little different than adults.

Mood: Mood of the patient shows the symptoms of depression. People who are victim of depression mostly feel sad or blue. The patient wants to remain alone and feels relaxed in darkness. He/she loses interest in even those activities which are if his interest. he avoids meeting any visitor and restricts his social activities. he may also avoid meeting relatives and friends. he may get irritated over simple matters. Depressed patients also get angry over silly matters.

Appetite and Weight: Weight and appetite also show symptoms of depression. The patient’s appetite increases or decreases abnormally. If his appetite increases than his weight start increasing and if appetite decreases than his weight decreases. Depression patients show noticeable weight gain or weight loss.

Weakness: Fatigue or tiredness is another symptom of depression. People feel very weak and tired without any obvious reasons. Patients feel deprived of energy without doing any hard work.

Thoughts: Feelings towards himself and towards the world change. he may keep feeling guilty and worthless. he may even get suicidal thoughts and may speak to you regarding committing suicide.

Sleep Problems: Depression patients start facing sleep problems. they may wake up at night or find difficulty in sleeping. some patients also show signs of excessive sleeping.

Memory Problem: Patients with depression face memory problems. they forget things easily and are unable to concentrate on anything. School going children with depression symptoms may perform badly in school. they may complain about stomachaches and headaches frequently.

Symptoms in Adolescents: They become less concerned about their lives and don’t bother about their safety. they take risks such as driving with high speed, getting addicted to drugs or alcohol. they also indulge in unprotected sex.

There are various other symptoms of depression such as feeling of hopelessness, helplessness etc. People start feeling that they are burden to others hence they have no right to live; which make them think that they should commit suicide. some people don’t want to be left alone and some patients don’t want to do even smallest task because they think that those tasks are impossible to be done. Depression patients lose their confidence.

You should take depression symptoms seriously and consult doctor regarding it. there are vitamins for depression which can reduce depression symptoms.