“Depression is partly a nocebo effect, in the sense that it can be produced by negative exceptions about oneself and the world. The way in which these negative expectations develop and produce their negative effects provides some clues as to… — Irving Kirsch Copy Share Image
Depression is not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and it is not cured by medication. Depression may not even be an… — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
To someone who is not currently on anti-depressants, I would suggest trying other treatments first - for example, psychotherapy. — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
“Many of the benefits of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) can be obtained without going into therapy. There are a number of self-help books, CDs… — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
Nocebos often cause a physical effect, but it's not a physically produced effect. What's the cause? In many cases, it's an unanswered question. — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
“The results of decades of neurotransmitter-depletion studies point to one inescapable conclusion: low levels or serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine do not cause depression. here… — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
Perhaps 10 percent of patients who are prescribed antidepressants are really benefiting from the drugs' active ingredients. — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
Patients who trust their doctors and have a psychological expectation of getting better could trigger a reaction in their body. — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
Anything that instills a sense of hope will at least temporarily help treat depression. — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
“Our analyses of the FDA data showed relatively little difference between the effects of antidepressants and the effects of placebos. Indeed, the effects were… — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
Perhaps anti-depressants should be best reserved for the very extreme cases and, more importantly, for those who do not respond to alternative forms of… — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
If doctors just spent more time with their patients so they felt more reassured, that might help. — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
There seems little reason to prescribe anti-depressant medication to any but the most severely depressed patients. — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
“When people recover from depression via psychotherapy, their attributions about recovery are likely to be different than those of people who have been treated… — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
One problem I have with drug companies is that they don't make all their data public. — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
There seem to be many causes of depression. One cause is profound loss, grief. Economic hardship we know is linked to depression. We don't… — Irving Kirsch Copy Share
