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A comment on “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels. Parent comment

Re:“No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low... by hackerlight on Tuesday July 19, 2022 @11:00PM (#32160847)
Yes, but according to Irving Kirsch, the benefit of anti-depressants above placebo is very small for anyone who isn't severely depressed, and the observed small effects can plausibly be explained by patients unblinding themselves (due to the presence of other side effects in the treatment group), or by things like publication bias.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4172306/

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Re:“No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low... by rando14775 on Tuesday July 19, 2022 @11:31PM (#32161075)
I'll add that side effects alone can influence depression scores. Any medication that de- or increases sleepyness will change the score of any questionaire when taken at the appropriate time of day.
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