Placebo Effects on Pharmacotherapy Outcomes in Major Depression

See attached news article by Aimee M. Hunter, PhD, from Psychiatric Times September 2007 Bonus Issue on Depression September 15, 2007 Vol. 24 No. 10. “The placebo effect is frequently invoked when some unexpected improvement occurs. But what is the placebo effect? Is it a reflection of the natural history of an episodic illness? Is it related to the hope or support that naturally occurs when patients come in for treatment? Is it related to the patient's belief that the treatment will help him or her? It is likely all of these and more. We need to understand the placebo effect not only to understand and interpret studies more accurately but also to improve the outcome of our treatments. That is why "Placebo Effects on Pharmacotherapy Outcomes in Major Depression" by Aimee M. Hunter, PhD, is an important article to read.” Rif S. El-Mallakh, MD

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