Depression and Prozac

Prozac - the anti-depression drug which has revolutionised the treatment of clinical depression, has now been on the market for 20 years.

Prozac is routinely prescribed by doctors to patients who exhibit the signs of major depression.

In a doctor's practice of 2,000 patients, as many as 100 patients at any given time can be being prescribed Prozac..

Depression has many symptoms and Prozac has revolutionised the treatment of clinical depression in primary care.

Prior to Prozac there were older drugs available that had more side effects and were less safe. But Prozac is widely seen by general practitioners as a medication that is safe, easily tolerated and easy to take, and which effectively helps to reduce the symptoms of clinical depression in a way that enables doctors to improve the effectiveness of the "talking therapy treatments" as well.

The medical approach to treating depression is to offer "prozac anti-depressant pills for the symptoms of depression and talking therapy treatments for the problems.

The talking therapies to tackle and overcome depression include:

• Problem solving - used to help patients tackle soluble problems in their lives.
• Coping stategies - to help patients deal with problems that can not be easily solved.
• Cognitive therapy - For use with patients who exhibit persistent and automatic negative thoughts about life. This helps patients to substitute a more appropriate thought for the negative feelings they may experience.
• Behaviour therapy - Designed to encourage people to try something new as way to overcome their depression.

Doctors would generally always consider Prozac for patients who exhibit signs of major depression - This defined as a combination of symptoms exhibited every day for a period of at least two weeks.

Depression symptoms include:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, despair and irritability
• Loss of pleasure from activities previously enjoyed
• A change in weight or appetite
• Sleep disturbance, including over-sleeping
• Feelings of guilt and helplessness
• A lack of self-worth
• Inability to concentrate
• Excessive worry or anxiety
• A reduction in energy or libido
• Thoughts of death or suicide

It is estimated that approximately 5% of the population suffer from the symptoms of major depression at any one time.

Depression Stigma

However, there is still stigma associated with depression. Approximately 50% of sufferers do not seek help from their doctor.

A survey conducted by research giants ICM for the Amercican drug makers Eli Lilly and Co found that although 75% of women regarded depression as a serious illness only 52% would be prepared to take Prozac as a treatment.

Ten years ago people had a very poor understanding of depression and consequently society attached considerable stigma to it.

Not only has the introduction of Prozac been a considerable medical advance but its popularity has helped lead both to an increase in the awareness of depression and the number of patients who are prepared to seek help.

Medical professionals continue to work towards destigmatisation of treatment options available for this seriously understood mental illness.

However there are some medical professionals who air on the side of caution, saying that although Prozac is a good and modern anti-depressant, its popularity has also come about from good marketing and good PR.

A leading psychiatrist who carried out one of the first trials of Prozac in the UK, took exception to some of the more extravagant claims made for the drug, saying that people who have claimed that Prozac can transform the personality, were somewhat overhyped comments.

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