Friends and family of people with depression may feel that their loved one has been replaced by a gloomy doppelgänger. According to recent research, however, it may be the treatment of depression that actually causes personality changes in people with the disorder.
Experts have long known that the placebo effect explains much of the mood lift patients report after going on antidepressants. This was the case in the new study, published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry—patients with major depressive disorder who were given a placebo saw their symptoms improve about three quarters as much as those given paroxetine, an antidepressant also known as Paxil. But only the patients who took paroxetine displayed personality changes in two key areas of the widely used five-factor model of personality: they scored lower on neuroticism, the tendency to experience negative emotions such as guilt and anxiety, and they scored higher on extroversion, which includes traits such as talkativeness and assertiveness.
Personality traits are thought to be relatively stable over a person’s life—even the onset of depression, which comes with unusually low moods, should not alter a person’s fundamental traits. Personality can affect a person’s risk for mental illness, however—past research has established neuroticism as a key risk factor for depression, explains Tony Tang of Northwestern University, the lead author of the study. Tang and his colleagues found that the more a patient’s neuroticism dropped while taking paroxetine, the smaller the chance that his or her depression would return after they stopped taking the drug.
The study “proves in an elegant way that antidepressant medications and placebo have different actions in many cases,” says Andrew Leuchter, a depression researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, who was not a part of the study. “This may explain in part some of the ways that antidepressants have a therapeutic benefit for some patients.”
This article was originally published with the title Depression Drugs Affect Personality.
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37 Comments
Add CommentI don't buy the basic premise of this article. The fact that study patients were given only Paxil distorts the outcome. Antidepressants are notoriously unreliable on a patient to patient basis. What may have a profound effect on one may have no effect at all on another.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe point is drugs are almost always problematic. The landmark study of Mayberg and Segal (2002) showed that depression has a lot to do with how your brain is wired and that thinking differently actually rewired depression away. Now that's news, In essence, Mayberg stated, depression stems from a malfunction not in a single spot in the brain, but in a network or circuit of brain connections. As patients practiced thinking differently, the network reset itself by turning down neural areas responsible for rumination and worry.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDid I misread? It seems as though what you're calling negative effects are the fact that these people apparently are less likely to feel guilt or anxiety, and more likely to be talkative and assertive... what's so negative or "problematic" about that??
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe writer appears to have misconstrued the results of the study. Neuroticism and introversion are both indicators of depression and depressive tendencies. Lessening neuroticism and strengthening extroversion show alleviation of depressive traits that can't be explained by the placebo effect.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisEven more talkative and assertive people? I think im going to be depressed.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYes these results are positive. I did get that from the study. I was saying even so there are problems with these drugs. The study I cited resulted in changes in faulty neural structure that generates depression and this change came about through thinking differently -- no non-neurotic ways and in ways that makes people feel safe with other people. Thoughts produced this change in brain structure. I find that interesting, more interesting than this study.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPersonality does not remain stable over a lifetime. The personality of a depressed person is different from their pre-depressed state.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis article is nonsense. Of course there is a placebo effect and there is the effect of a kindly supportive physician as well.
I have to admit, I am one whose personality was GREATLY affected by Paxil! I used to be a wall-flower that did not speak unless spoken to. You could use me and abuse me and I would NEVER object. Now, some 10 years post-paxil, I am very much outspoken and assertive. I've not been on any antidepressant in over 2 years..and I remain outspoken and assertive. thank you paxil for giving me the ability to stand up for myself!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisObviously there are dangers associated with antidepressants, but studies such as these are proving that they do more good than harm. Just because you believe natural solutions to depression are more effective than antidepressants doesn’t mean psychiatrists should stop using them and testing them. Psychology is still a young field, and while doctors should continue to study natural techniques, they also need to work with medications in order to find the best way to treat depression. When a study finds improvement in two of the major symptoms of depression, it says a lot about the effectiveness of these drugs, and if more studies can prove that the positive effects of antidepressants are greater than that of the placebo effect, than the benefits will outweigh the risks and side effects.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm depressed because I'm not good looking, it is the only reason for my depression, sometimes I wish I have never been born. I don't know how I'm going to cope till the end of my life, I've been hurt many times by people because of the way I look, I don't know why people are so crule, why they don't just leave us alone. Why some women are so pretty and others have to suffer from uglyness? why? why?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this<<It seems as though what you're calling negative effects are the fact that these people apparently are less likely to feel guilt or anxiety, and more likely to be talkative and assertive... what's so negative or "problematic" about that??>>
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe problem is that guilt and anxiety are associated with the human consiensce which is gives us the ability to make the right choices in life (i.e. using appropriate judgments about our actions, making sound decisions, having proper discernment). When the propensities for guilt and anxiety decrease, one's judgment can be impaired severely.
I was on antidepressents for several years and the effects of decreased inhibition led to some very poor decisions and "loose canon" types of behavior. These, in turn, played a major role in ruining my career and probably would've destroyed my marriage had i not been led to total deliverance in Jesus Christ and filled His Holy Spirit via Acts 2:38/19:1-6.
Excellent point Aspen 7698, very seldom does the first medication work in cases of clinical depression. Together with the fact that General Practitioners can prescribe these "trial and error " medications. Though it is do in general, that an average depressed person cannot afford to see a Board certified Pyschiatrist, it is necessary for the patient themselves to become "an educated consumer".
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAspen 7698 has a very valid point. These medications have and will always be "trial and error". Very seldom does the first medication work. They also need up to 3 weeks to have full affect. Not to overlooked, yes, I believe that personality changes do occur. Is this due to the depression or the medication? This concerns me. This and the fact that General Practitioners can prescribe these medications, and do no or little blood work as follow-up. One recommendation I reccomend is the use of pysychiatrists that are in residency, that is before they are owned by the pharmaceautical companies. They will give you more quality time and do not get the perks that established practitioners get for "pushing" one, and only one medication for the treatment of depression. Be optimistic also my friends, these medications are improving every day!But you must believe that you know what is best for you. Lastly, these medications are much more powerful and mind altering than you are lead to believe. Therefore, you must weigh a cognitive therapy approach against a full "thought and thinking" process. We live in very stressful times and people want "immediate changes". This is a wrong mind set. If you can relieve symptoms by "verbalizing", do it. The RX driven society we are living in is driven by big, big $$$$. Do you think that a practitioner wants to be an accomplice to a possible suicide, when he can so easily be sued and have his license revoked. No, he does not. I am afraid to tell you this but "therapy" (group if possible) is more beneficial than drugs. It is also a case of "buyer beware", and finding a truly caring practitioner. They are out their, it just requires some comfort level seeking by yourself.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDepression is more than a mental illness. It is a social illness. It is the result of a society that is deeply engrossed in materialism and competition; a society that divides people and causes them to experience fear rather then the unity of One humanity.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOnly sharing, leading to justice, leading to peace on the individual and societal level that will cutre much of the social illnesses (depression, anxiety) that passes as a simply mental/chemical disorder today.
You read into my comment things I didn't say or imply. Just to be clear, I did not say that doctors should stop prescribing drugs, just that drugs presesnt problems. As one of the commentors stated, paxil was life changing for him/her. I respect that. And I did not state a "belifef in natural solutions." I cited a landmark study by two of the leading researchers and experts on depression that found changes in thinking outperformed drugs in alleviating depression. That is noteworthy.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMysticcool: Is there any chance you remember the exact name of the study you are referring to? It's fascinating, and I can't seem to find out which is the exact one when I google it. I appreciate your contribution and if you could help me, thanks!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMysticcool: Is there any chance you remember the name of the study you are referring to? It sounds fascinating, and I can't seem to find which exact one it is when I google it. I would really appreciate your help, thanks!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDon't believe the thought that you are ugly -- that anyone is ugly, that ugly even exists outside of thinking it and by thinking makes us see what isn't there and to miss what is. Make not belieiving the thought "I am ugly" a practice. Let your mind open to the truth that beauty is multi-dimensional. There are so many things about a true human being that are beautiful, like the ability to be compassionate toward people who think beauty is only skin deep. How much they miss. And how beautiful it makes you to keep your heart open, even in the face of a person operating out o f a mean spirited delusional system.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thissomeone will love you for who you are and treat you right...there is someone for everyone and remember to love yourself...just make the best of what you have and believe me even the most beautiful women in the world don't look like that without their makeup...sending you blessings....
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thissomeone will love and accept you for who you are....there is someone for everyone and I pray you find the right person for you who will treat you right...always remember to love yourself and believe me the most beautiful women in the world don't look like that in the morning without their makeup...sending positive healing energy to you...someone will find you beautiful because there is something beautiful about each and every one of us~Love yourself, and someone else will too!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am diagnosed as having major depression. I know that in my case, my brain is just wired differently. The troubling thing about pharmaceuticals and depression is that doctors and the researchers that develop the drugs don't really know how they work. I have taken over 20 different anti-depressants. Some of them might work for a while, some of the didn't work at all, and some of them sent me to the edge of a roof. (Literally! Like that was ALL I needed) I had finally given up and gone off everything, but it was a constant stuggle. Finally, I decided that even if I had to had ECT, I would do it, just so I could maintain my sanity. Went to a new psychiatrist, who told me that I was one of about 2% of depression sufferers that no new medicine could help. My choices were ECT, having a magnet put in my head or taking an effective drug with many, many, diet restrictions. Well, gee-I'll give up smoked meats if I can be better, right?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThey are feeding you bullshit. Sometimes you're just ugly, and sometimes you're alone. Plan accordingly.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAlso to the poster above, you must be severely depressed to risk ECT. Have you been diagnosed with any other mental illness?
Hi Kangaroo: My name is Don . That study is described, along with other such studies, in my book Mystic Cool page 71. The actual study is "Modulation of Cortical-Limbic Pathways in Major Depression, Treatment-Specific Effects of Cognitive Behavior Therapy," Archives of General Psychiatry 61, no. 1 (2004): 34–41.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCognitive Behavior Therapy works really well for depression, changing the way you feel by changing the way you think.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have not (cannot/drat!) even read all of the article, and barely write this reply, (as am leaving rite now, 2pick-up repaired READING glasses) I do see well enuff to agree 100% wi the 1st reply/IF true. (As a sufferer (Pers and Conf). I can verify this respondents' claim. :Been there done...." U know the rest. (More than once!) And just recently, again!! IF something is working WELL, WHY oh why do "YOU" UDDENLY want to change it?? I almost want to ask, Is it true wnat they say about "kicknacks". Forgive me, I really hope not,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBeauty comes from within. I know lots of physical good-looking people I will not want to be around. Cultivate your inner being and sorround yourself with goodnes, kindnes and the like and you will feel different. God loves you, please be sure of that.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have not/cannot read the antire article, as I am going to pick up my reading glasses from repair; however, I "see" enuff to agree (Or disagree 100%) as did 1st respondent, with premise of entire study - based on ONE Rx. (As a sufferer,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Been there done ..." well, you know the rest) numerous times, and again just recently, when one was working just fine. And new one, even gave it time, was yeeuch!! Makes one think, or want to *ask (from all the stories heard) and forgive me, because I just NEVERm EVER want to imply this re: a professional caregiver esp OF THIS TYPE for sure, Nor believe
this happens, But, having "been there.." it does beg the question at times are there really kick backs? Or other perks available to Professionals PHds, MD's etc from Rx Pharm. Co's for getting people to try/use/switch to latest/new meds? Even when doing fine on old ones? (as I have seen, only with SOME
the many, many "sample" Rx's in their closet thar are doled
out).
Sena I know lots of physically good-looking people I would not want to be around. Cultivate your inner-self. Sorround with goodness and kindness and you will feel different. The world was created for all of us to enjoy... go ahead.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMysticcool: Thank you so much for the reference! Do you know of anywhere else it is described in simpler terms or a short way I might be able to explain it to other people? I think it describes my situation (at least as far as being faulty neural connections, and that my depression isn't a product of life circumstances or a temporary issue that will subside on its own, it's just how my brain is wired or something)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTo: person who believe sufferring from ugliness. As a layman only NOT a Doctor, IF I may: I sincere urege you to tdo the following , IF you have not, 1) Seek counseing, and also with a PHD who has a group of ithers who feel as you, IF he/she feels that will help you. 2) IF U can, begin ASAP, a volunteer effort, where you focus on helping others (this realy and truly takes your mind off your troubles MORE than anything I know)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this3) Get some lovng, caroing friends, to do a "make-over for you, you, (If this is a possibility for you at thie time, IF not, then at a later time, when ready. YOU have seen them on TV I'm sure, and how super uplifting them can be, This can be a hack of a great personal therapy; then, well...keep it up!!
4) lastly, *Really, this shud have been #1: IF I may say so, Thugh I do not know your spiritiual affiliations, forgive me, But, I would find a quite, cariug, loving group of praverful spiritual worshippers of the Almighty Creator, to hang out with. They are usually the most Non-judgemental, loving people you can find. Preferably a Non-denominational group of "Believers", with no BIG labels,. When alone and quiet, with them, and your counselor, after trust is gained, slowly come forward with ow you feel, and they (and he/she) will show you ways to feel better). If it is the group, they will show you scripture, that will help you when you feel down or sad. Or, they will just lift you up and take you to do things. Just remember, NO MATTER WHAT, YOU ARE LOVED! You were created for a purpose, And, Eleanor Roosevelt said: "I fee; good Today, and No One Can Change that But ME!" HA! Great eh? Bless you Miss Pretty! Smile, and watch how pretty you suddenly Feel!!!
To: person who believe sufferring from ugliness. As a layman only NOT a Doctor, IF I may: I sincere urege you to tdo the following , IF you have not, 1) Seek counseing, and also with a PHD who has a group of ithers who feel as you, IF he/she feels that will help you. 2) IF U can, begin ASAP, a volunteer effort, where you focus on helping others (this realy and truly takes your mind off your troubles MORE than anything I know)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this3) Get some lovng, caroing friends, to do a "make-over for you, you, (If this is a possibility for you at thie time, IF not, then at a later time, when ready. YOU have seen them on TV I'm sure, and how super uplifting them can be, This can be a hack of a great personal therapy; then, well...keep it up!!
4) lastly, *Really, this shud have been #1: IF I may say so, Thugh I do not know your spiritiual affiliations, forgive me, But, I would find a quite, cariug, loving group of praverful spiritual worshippers of the Almighty Creator, to hang out with. They are usually the most Non-judgemental, loving people you can find. Preferably a Non-denominational group of "Believers", with no BIG labels,. When alone and quiet, with them, and your counselor, after trust is gained, slowly come forward with ow you feel, and they (and he/she) will show you ways to feel better). If it is the group, they will show you scripture, that will help you when you feel down or sad. Or, they will just lift you up and take you to do things. Just remember, NO MATTER WHAT, YOU ARE LOVED! You were created for a purpose, And, Eleanor Roosevelt said: "I fee; good Today, and No One Can Change that But ME!" HA! Great eh? Bless you Miss Pretty! Smile, and watch how pretty you suddenly Feel!!!
Sheenky,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAsk your doctor about Vagus Nerve Stimulation therapy ("VNS Therapy") for treatment-resistant depression. It involves implantation of a pacemaker-like device that stimulates the vagus nerve; it is used as a treatment for epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
I was implanted with the device in January of 2009 and am feeling and doing so much better! It's not for everyone, but considering what you have been (and are going) through, I strongly recommend you look into it.
The website http://www.vnstherapy.com can give you some helpful info; just keep in mind that it is operated by the company that manufactures the device (Cyberonics).
I have absolutely no connection to Cyberonics or anyone/anything else involved with VNS Therapy or otherwise. I'm just someone who feels so much better as a result of this treatment. Depression is Hell--absolute Hell--and no one should have to suffer with it.
Again, please check it out...there's another option (VNS) besides ECT.
I do agree that placebo is a better medicine for depression than paroxetine, also known as Paxil. However I don’t agree with the point of this article which was that placebo made a change in patient’s personality. I believe extroversion and neuroti¬cism are part of cure for depression. So becoming more talkative, assertiveness, and less anxiety can be cures to depression. Also, the article states personality traits tend to be relatively stable over a person’s life, but I believe a person’s personality can be changed according to person’s environment.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMany studies throughout the years have attempted to show how drugs can alter and distort the mind to cause a direct effect on the overall cognition process. But the results weren’t always consistent. Some subjects revealed huge changes while others remained completely unaffected. Therefore I agree that depression drugs don’t affect the personality but rather it is an individual’s mind which is preset to act differently in various instances, meaning everyone acts asymmetrically dependent upon the way they were nurtured (“nature vs. nurture” famous psychology studies). Everybody is brought up differently- each individual has his or her own environment with his or her own stimulus. Some are raised in way where they are open to more change than others. Depression itself occurs when there is more change in the mind than it can handle. When people take medication to cure this, they are still going through another change- thinking that they can cure the problem even if they subconsciously act differently. Also these issues with personality changes are mostly associated with emotional consequences.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPersonality changes are a huge problem many people report behavior changes and choices made while taking antidepressants have destroyed marriages and lives.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou can see stories from some of these people at this link
http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/effexor/TQ4I2UR28DFD3N759
Other support sites for people taking antidepressants or suffering withdrawal and adverse reactions from them have plenty of stories along this line too.
some of which are
paxilprogress.org
effexoractives.org
there are plenty of them.
These drugs are not all they are advertised to be that is for sure. I often wonder if they have not caused more harm than good.
If a loved one is prescribed Venlafaxine trade name Effexor, you should give them a going away party because after your loved one has taken this medication, your loved one's friends and family will be the friends and family of the person before they took Venlafaxine. The drug does not work much differently than other.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMost psychiatrists don't look up from their prescription pads to ask "what is the matter?" Most of the people seeking the AD medication (2/3) are women who have become susceptible to direct to consumer advertising and too much Dr. Phil, Opra and Dr. Oz. Drug companies are corporations with a profit motive first and foremost. Psychiatrists are first and foremost small businessmen. If you feel overwhelmed and ask to be medicated and your insurance pays for your meds and the psychiatric visit no one cares if it is good for you.
Antidepressant advertising is directly targeted at manipulating normal healthy women to want to be medicated. Women must stand up to big pharma’s bullying them to over-medicate with antidepressants washing out their emotions & personalities and interfering being mothers, sisters, brothers, daughters, partners and lovers.. Women are targeted for antidepressants by big Pharma in the same way that tobacco companies targeted us 70 years ago. Drug companies are so effective at selling unhappiness to women that women take more than twice as many antidepressants as men. http://sadnessaddiction.blogspot.com/
Sena, what is good-looking? Being thin to the point of emaciation - like a model? Having a very simetric face, like a doll? Having straight - or curly - hair? Big - or small - breasts? Think about it. How many boys/men do you pass on the street everyday that are no "Apolo". Do they cause you displeasure? Wake up girl! Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
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