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by markroseman
3038 days ago
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Statistically, rating scales typically used in these studies have been validated as showing effect, and clinical interviews can pick up a lot of things. That said, it's normally hard for you to be able to look back eight weeks and subjectively compare how you feel then and now. Usually it's not the person being treated, but those around them (family etc.), who notice the improvements first. |
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In any case, looking back that 8 weeks and comparing to now, _after you've just been through 4 weeks of hell_, you'll report that you're feeling a lot better, even if you've only returned to the same level you were before starting the meds.
Are there studies that use family/etc as the basis for their data? That would be a lot more valuable, as long as they also include a control.
The studies also need to look a lot longer than 8-12 weeks, partly due to the onset side effects, but also as a lot of depression is caused by a stress event that passes and resolves in a few months. It is interesting that a placebo has a positive effect (not as large as the meds); I wonder if they measured the effect of no treatment at all.