Thursday, May 13, 2004

Some Depressing News
"Pediatrics Perspective" column in Medscape Pediatrics - " A few weeks ago, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a "surprise" warning that patients who have just begun taking antidepressant medications can become suicidal and need to be closely monitored by their physicians. Sadly, many of the front-page news reports heralding the dangers of these drugs were perfect examples of faulty medical reporting. To be sure, depression is a deadly serious problem and the powerful medications we use to treat it need to be handled with great care. Far worse than making a person merely feel 'blue,' clinical depression interferes with just about every aspect of a victim's life..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free]. See also the recent PULSE Issue Brief, Renewed government scrutiny of antidepressants.  
  

All the Things They Taught Us That Were Wrong
"Medscape Psychopharmacology Today" column in Medscape General Medicine by Thomas A. M. Kramer - " One of the many wonderful things I learned in medical school is that my parents were probably wrong about not letting me go swimming after I ate. Actually, making me wait an hour probably made it more likely that I would have a cramp in the water. When it comes to debunking myths, I believe there are two kinds of people : those who think it is wonderful and those who think it is horrible My response is firmly in the former category. I see the dispelling of supposed truths as progress -- as evidence that we are moving forward, constantly questioning and continuously learning. I very much enjoyed the recent programs by the television journalist John Stossel in which he demonstrated that many accepted truisms are false. With this column, I would like to indulge in some myth-busting for psychopharmacology, and hopefully my colleagues who also enjoy questioning authority will enjoy and perhaps even contribute to this discussion..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].