Last updated June 23, 2021
Placebo: a substance that has no therapeutic effect
Research by University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, headed by Marta Pecina, MD, PhD, found that the placebo response is behind much of a patient’s response to drug treatment when it comes to depressive disorder.
“Placebo response rates in depression are as high as 50%, which is pretty close to the response rates we see with antidepressant therapy, so it’s important to understand placebo responses because they account for an important proportion of the actual response to antidepressant treatment,” said Dr. Pecina.
Commenting on the study in a statement, senior researcher Jon-Kar Zubieta, MD, PhD, now chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, noted that the placebo effect in this study came from participants not only believing that they were receiving a “real” drug but also from simply being in a treatment environment.
“These results suggest that some people are more responsive to the intention to treat their depression and that they may do better if psychotherapies or cognitive therapies that enhance the clinician-patient relationship are incorporated into their care.” he said.
The study was published online September 30 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Disclaimer: anxietycentre.com is not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted at anxietycentre.com by contributing institutions or for the use of any information throughout anxietycentre.com’s system.
Common Anxiety Symptoms
The combination of good self-help information and working with an experienced anxiety disorder therapist, coach, or counselor is the most effective way to address anxiety and its many symptoms. Until the core causes of anxiety are addressed – which we call the underlying factors of anxiety – a struggle with anxiety unwellness can return again and again. Dealing with the underlying factors of anxiety is the best way to address problematic anxiety.
Additional Resources
- For a comprehensive list of Anxiety Disorders Symptoms Signs, Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
- Anxiety and panic attacks symptoms can be powerful experiences. Find out what they are and how to stop them.
- How to stop an anxiety attack and panic.
- Free online anxiety tests to screen for anxiety. Two minute tests with instant results. Such as:
- Anxiety 101 is a summarized description of anxiety, anxiety disorder, and how to overcome it.
anxietycentre.com: Information, support, and coaching/counseling/therapy for problematic anxiety and its sensations and symptoms, including Placebo Effect A Major Factor in Antidepressant Response.