Antidepressants Work, so what’s the Problem

Kurt Anderson

Utah Valley University
Course: Online English 2020
Instructor: Robert Crane

Abstract Efficacy of antidepressants is under such scrutiny by the general public, because of a few scientists. Antidepressants are the most researched substance worldwide. The long history of research analysis proves the efficacy of antidepressants, but there are those who will falsely interpret clinical trials, or pool together selected studies to justify their claims. Scientists will agree that there are many flaws with antidepressant research, but with ever increasing new ways to re-test old research, the evidence of positive improvements are becoming harder to deny. This report shows that even though scientists are trying to disprove the effectiveness of antidepressants, the evidence of the scientific facts prove that antidepressants work for depression.

Table of Contents
List of Figures and Tables iv
Glossary of Terms v
General Information vii
Thesis Statement vii
Report Audience vii
Author’s Purpose vii
Argumentative Requirements Fulfillment Statement vii
Introduction 1
Americans and Depression 2
Background of Depression and Antidepressants 4
Depression 4
Antidepressants 5
Depression Scale 5
Clinical Trials 6
Claims..................... 6
The Truth ......................................................................................................................................6
Prescribing methods 8
Placebo Effect 8
Efficacy of Antidepressants 9
Antidepressants and Levels of Depression 9
New Research 10
Pharmaceutical Companies 10
References 13

List of Figures and Tables
Table 1. Depression Statistics…………………………………………………………………....3
Table 2. FDA Drug Review Steps Simplified…………………………………………………...11

Glossary of Terms

Antidepressants This is a drug used for the treatment of