Are you feeling a little melancholy lately? If you’re suffering from mild depression, don’t be too quick to ask your doctor for a prescription antidepressant. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that prescription antidepressants may be effective for treating severe depression - but may be no better than a placebo for treating mild cases of depression.

Antidepressants Most Effective for Severe Depression

Researchers did an analysis of 2,146 studies carried out over a 29 year period looking at the effectiveness of antidepressants for treating depression. In these studies, the severity of depression was determined by a special test called the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. After analyzing the data from these studies, they found that antidepressants were most effective for treating people with higher scores on the depression scale – in other words – more severe depression. For patients with milder depression, antidepressants were no better than a placebo pill.

This study raises some red flags about taking antidepressants to treat mild depression, but it doesn't take into account the newer antidepressant medications such as SSRI's which didn't make their appearance until the 1990's. These newer classes of medications may still have benefits for treating less severe forms of depression - and may be better tolerated.

The Risks of Using Antidepressants

Using antidepressants to treat depression is more scrutinized these days as some studies show that some of them increase the risk of stroke in women and raise the risk of birth defects when used by pregnant women. They can also have side effects such as suicidal behavior, dizziness, lightheadedness, stomach upset, and dry mouth.

Antidepressant Alternatives?

Are there safer alternatives to prescription antidepressants for treating mild depression? Studies show that St. John's wort – a natural herb – may be as effective as prescription antidepressants for treating mild symptoms of depression. People taking St. John's wort also experience fewer side effects. The only drawback is that not all supplements contain the ingredients listed on the bottle in the proper amounts and there are different levels of quality – making it important to buy from a reputable distributor.

Antidepressants for Treatment of Depression: The Bottom Line?

It appears that prescription antidepressants have some value for treating severe depression – but may not be effective for mild symptoms of depression. A depressed person should always seek the help of a doctor rather than trying to self treat depression. Treatment of depression works best when it's combined with counseling, a healthy diet, and regular physical exercise. If you're depressed, get the help of a professional.

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