Posted by linkadge on August 12, 2008, at 16:29:27
In reply to Re: You are refering to me? | No., posted by coral on August 6, 2008, at 21:11:32
>In full agreement. Speaking only for myself, I >flat-out know that Zoloft saved my life.
The only way you would know for 100% sure that zoloft save your life is if we had a time machine and we went back and took the drug away from you and you did end up killing yourself.
Of course its not really possible for me to say, "I am skeptical" without insulting you, but that is indeed my intention.
People become very attached to, and convinced about the efficacy of the agents that they believe help them. Whether it be rabbits feet, religion or the Q-Ray bracelet.
People who respond to placebos in general, show no smaller degree of conviction about their beliefs regarding the efficacy of the drug they have been ingesting than those who have recieve an active drug.
People take the notion that they may have repsonded to placebo as a personal insult. Its just like everbody believes they have higher than average IQ. Nobody wants to believe they have lower than average I.Q.
Obviously something changes when people recieve the placebo. Perhaps it is hope placed in the medication, improved recognigition of their problems or a feeling of hope that is associated with medical care. All of these things can lead to real biochemical changes in the brain and body.
I am not saying that your responce is necessarily a placebo responce, all I am saying is that I remain skeptical and from a scientific standpoint I am not persuaded by you personal convicion.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:844053
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080805/msgs/845735.html