Re: "In Defense of Antidepressants"

7/10/11

To the editors:

While Peter Kramer writes in 'defense of antidepressants' (7/10/11), I believe the public would benefit from a vigorous defense of psychotherapy for depression.  We are inundated by direct to consumer advertising about antidepressants, managed care aggressively limits coverage for psychotherapy, and psychiatrists in dwindling numbers are honing the necessary skills to treat the whole patient.  These forces contribute to an over utilization of medication and foster a non-introspective stance towards human suffering.  Individuals with significant histories of trauma or ongoing personality troubles will often require combined treatment to effectively treat depression and prevent relapse.  Psychotherapy is a legitimate evidence based treatment for depression and is in danger of being lost in the 'doctor's satchel'.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry S. Sandberg MD