Antidepressants: a twentieth century medical marvel
By Andrew Heck
Antidepressants could very well be the single greatest development in psychiatric treatment and pharmacology of the past century. Prior to the use of antidepressants, depression was largely ignored by the medical community, and it was only in the 1950s that doctors became conscious of the widespread phenomenon of depression, which had previously been blamed on other mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and other generic psychotic disorders.
Throughout the early decades of the twentieth century, lobotomy was a common psychosurgery method. Though lobotomy seemed to work for some patients with various psychotic disorders, for others, it was devastating. An unnecessarily invasive procedure, it was known to have serious physical repercussions for many who underwent it, leading psychiatrists to look for solutions. Lithium, cheap to produce and very basic in its composition, started to gain popularity amongst psychiatrists, but, unfortunately, its effects were too broad and not specific enough to depression treatment.
Those solutions were sought mainly in the realm of prescription drugs. In 1952, iproniazid, one of the first drugs to be used as an antidepressant, was a godsend. Patients who had previously reported low self-esteem and fatigue were transformed by the use of the drug. It made them happy and energetic, which was ultimately the goal of every psychiatrist. Several other drugs were produced that achieved similar results; though, they came about in order to eliminate some of the unwanted side effects of previous drugs.
But it was not until the late 1980s that the antidepressants industry would start to develop in to what it is today. A new, safer class of antidepressants was developed, starting in 1987, with Prozac. Zoloft and Paxil followed in the early 1990s, and the amount of Americans using antidepressants as a simple, economical, and effective solution to their depression increased dramatically. Even today, the variety of antidepressants available has gone up, and rigorous testing is continuing to be implemented at heightened levels, to improve the safety of the drugs.
If it was not for the development of antidepressants, who knows what types of inhumane treatment methods would have followed in the footsteps of the lobotomy! The world of psychiatry might be vastly different, and, certainly, it would not be nearly as advanced, if antidepressant medications had been something of pure fiction.
Mind
Antidepressants could very well be the single greatest development in psychiatric treatment and pharmacology of the past century. Prior to the use of antidepressants, depression was largely ignored by the medical community, and it was only in the 1950s that doctors became conscious of the widespread phenomenon of depression, which had previously been blamed on other mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and other generic psychotic disorders.
Throughout the early decades of the twentieth century, lobotomy was a common psychosurgery method. Though lobotomy seemed to work for some patients with various psychotic disorders, for others, it was devastating. An unnecessarily invasive procedure, it was known to have serious physical repercussions for many who underwent it, leading psychiatrists to look for solutions. Lithium, cheap to produce and very basic in its composition, started to gain popularity amongst psychiatrists, but, unfortunately, its effects were too broad and not specific enough to depression treatment.
Those solutions were sought mainly in the realm of prescription drugs. In 1952, iproniazid, one of the first drugs to be used as an antidepressant, was a godsend. Patients who had previously reported low self-esteem and fatigue were transformed by the use of the drug. It made them happy and energetic, which was ultimately the goal of every psychiatrist. Several other drugs were produced that achieved similar results; though, they came about in order to eliminate some of the unwanted side effects of previous drugs.
But it was not until the late 1980s that the antidepressants industry would start to develop in to what it is today. A new, safer class of antidepressants was developed, starting in 1987, with Prozac. Zoloft and Paxil followed in the early 1990s, and the amount of Americans using antidepressants as a simple, economical, and effective solution to their depression increased dramatically. Even today, the variety of antidepressants available has gone up, and rigorous testing is continuing to be implemented at heightened levels, to improve the safety of the drugs.
If it was not for the development of antidepressants, who knows what types of inhumane treatment methods would have followed in the footsteps of the lobotomy! The world of psychiatry might be vastly different, and, certainly, it would not be nearly as advanced, if antidepressant medications had been something of pure fiction.
Mind
Conference
Every year, members of the Society get together for our annual conference. Read about speakers, ticket pricing, and the schedule of this year's events.
Life
In "Life," the history of assisted suicide and the controversy surrounding the issue are discussed.
Body
In "Body," the history and issues of Gender Identity Disorder are summarized.