Treatment Of Depression: Latest NIMH Study

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Treatment Of Depression: Latest NIMH Study

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=55734

Fitzpatrick, executive director of the National Alliance on

Mental Illness (NAMI) today issued the following statement on the

new Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D)

study results published this week in the American Journal of

Psychiatry:

The latest stage in the landmark STAR*D study funded by the National

Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) demonstrates the importance of

giving people access to the best possible, most effective

medication -- right from the start.

Overall, almost 70% of patients with depression in the study were

helped by one or more drugs. Approximately 40% achieved remission of

symptoms on their first drug and 30% in the second. On the third and

fourth tries, 14% and 13% respectively, we now learn achieved

remission. Treatment is often a progressive, incremental process.

In the real world, one size does not fit all. Managed care plans and

state Medicaid formularies must not restrict threshold choices made

by front-line physicians. The physician-patient relationship is

critical in setting expectations and emphasizing the importance of

staying on medication.

Greater scientific research is needed to achieve better, fast-

acting, long-lasting alternatives.

Star*D results on the effectiveness of counseling also have not yet

been published, which is a critical piece of the treatment puzzle.

Depression kills. Remission saves lives. Complete elimination of

symptoms means a return to family, friends and productivity. The

personal, social and economic benefits of effective treatment are

enormous.

In 2005, NAMI conducted a survey that complements Star*D findings.

On average, the majority of patients with depression who were

surveyed had tried four medications.

A majority experienced six or more episodes of depression in their

lifetimes, but only 34% ever discussed the possibility of relapse

with a physician. Less than 25% were aware of differences between

full and partial remission of symptoms. Only 25% had received talk

therapy or counseling.