Antidepressants: Conundrums and Complexities of Efficacy Studies

It is by now a truism in the lay press that "antidepressants are no more effective than sugar pills." Although the best available evidence does not support this conclusion, 2–4 public skepticism regarding the efficacy of antidepressants is understandable, given several recent developments. Furthermore, concerns over possible adverse effects of antidepressants, including increased risk of "suicidality" in younger populations, have continued to darken the public's perception of these agents.