Public Quotes by Irving Kirsch

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

To someone who is not currently on anti-depressants, I would suggest trying other treatments first - for example, psychotherapy.

— Irving Kirsch

“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

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

“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

Perhaps 10 percent of patients who are prescribed antidepressants are really benefiting from the drugs' active ingredients.

— Irving Kirsch

Patients who trust their doctors and have a psychological expectation of getting better could trigger a reaction in their body.

— Irving Kirsch

Anything that instills a sense of hope will at least temporarily help treat depression.

— Irving Kirsch

“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

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

If doctors just spent more time with their patients so they felt more reassured, that might help.

— Irving Kirsch

There seems little reason to prescribe anti-depressant medication to any but the most severely depressed patients.

— Irving Kirsch