The+Pursuit+of+Happiness

Student NO. n8302715 Name. Jessica Lester Tutorial.Colleen ** Green, Gold, and Blue: How Well does Australia deal with Mental Health in 2011? What is working, what isn’t, and what should be done? **

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**ARTEFACT**
**“**The Drugs Don't Work" is a song by the British rock band, The Verve. It was released on September 1, 1997 and has been popular in the charts, being listed 78 in the top 150 best tracks of the last 15 years of 2011. The song, composed by Richard Ashcroft, is thought to be written in response to the death of his father, similarly it is thought to be influence by the relationship with his wife and his drug use.


 * PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE **

Depression has been defined by the World Health Organisation as having a depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration (WHO, 2011). Depression can occur in anyone, across age, gender and background. Depression can lead to suicide, with an estimated 850 000 lives lost every year globally (WHO, 2011). In 2009, Australia suicide rates reached 2,132 (ABS, 2011) with 90% of all suicidal deaths showing that may have suffered a mental disorder at the time of their death – according to psychological autopsy (ABS, 2009). It is this high fatality rate as well as the wellness of the individual, in terms of daily functioning in society that makes depressions and mental or behavioural problems such an important public health issue in Australia.

With depression being such an important issue, it is equally important that treatments are widely available and effective. In the last 10 years, it has become of public opinion that anti-depressant and anti-psychotic medication fails to perform effectively, being ‘just as good as the placebo; ( Kirsch, Deacon, Huedo-Medina, Scoboria, Moore & Johnson, 2008 ) and ‘increasing suicide rates.’ Though several trials support these accusations it is important for the public to understand in what conditions these trials are conducted and what meaning the results have. Therefore, the true public health issue is that people are denying themselves effective treatment on the bias of media spun articles.

**LITERATURE REVIEW**

Many believe that depression is a growing issue in today’s society but the increase in reported depression does not reflect a shift in genetics, the ways in which people approach life, or the hardships the current generations are facing. Rather, it represents a change in attitude towards behaviours can be considered undesirable, such as being depressed – people are seeking attention and intervention more because of these new attitudes ( Frazzetto, 2008; Health Day, 2011)

//“By admitting the possibility they might not, the question flies in the face of seemingly rock-solid medical opinion and, whatever the answer, might promote loss of confidence in the effectiveness of treatment. This could add to the problems of depressed patients, put further demands on clinicians and health services and damage commercial interests and reputations.” //

// - ////‘A Conspiracy of Silence’ //

Anti-depressant medication has been under attack for many, many years; with many articles being released to the public being written to portray anti-depressants negatively, ruining their credibility (Blier, 2008). A google search as to whether they work or not quickly shows the magnitude in which these articles appear. What these articles fail to realise they way in which these trials are conducted and what their results actually mean (Nutt, 2008; Pestello & Davis-Berman, 2008) As seen in the infamous Kirsch 2008 study, it was found that placebos are more effective than the anti-depressants; this information appeared all over the media and sparked the idea that placebos should replace actual anti-depressants (Nutt, 2008). This is unrealistic as there are often high placebo responses in all sorts of medications, especially when trials are only conducted over 4-8 weeks. Using placebos is not a viable treatment and completely undermines the patient doctor relationship (Nutt, 2008). Effective short term trials cannot be conducted as it has been seen previous that problematic behaviours often worsen within the first initial stage of drug treatments (Blier,2008; Nutt 2008). Research and trials that portray the medications as negative now have limited publishing ability as to protect both the reputation and the creditably of the medications. Unfortunately negative information still leaks to the media, such as the clinical trials that claimed to have found clear evidence that some drugs can cause agitation leading to potential suicidal behavior in as great as 25% of patients, in the same clinical trials it was estimated that one person a day has committed suicide as a result of taking Prozac since it was introduced (Holford, 2003). This information is questionable.

Despite claims that anti-depressants have suicidal reactions it was officially ruled in 1991 that there was no clear evidence, and gave the drug a clean bill of health(Check, 2004). Many studies call for this to be reviewed, as it believed that evidence does not confirm that antidepressants have a clinically significant effect in treating mental disorder (Moncrieff, 2007). Some currently available anti-depressants are also believed to be inadequate for many patients, and the call for new drugs to be created growing, seeking medications that are more effective, tolerable and safe (Greden, 2002).

//<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">"And if you want to use the most effective treatment you've got to use the medicine." //

//<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">– ‘Antidepressants: Bitter Pills’ //

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">People with depression and associate disorders are at risk of many things, beyond the realms of self harm and suicide. Depression can have an effect in a universal sense to families, work places. A report published by the depression alliance titled, ‘The inside Story’, discusses in great detail the impact that depression has on the wider community. Research has shown that people with depression also have impaired physical, social and work functioning – often inhibiting them from performing everyday tasks. Intangible aspects of depression also include the pain and stress that their family, friends and co-works suffer – these manifest and become disruptions in daily life, family break downs and job loss. It is often thought that these intangible aspects of depression make up for a large portion of the financial burden, though because they are so complex it is difficult to measure the true impact that it and depression has on society.

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Depression also has adverse effects on other areas of health, with several studies finding that tobacco smoking is higher in those with mental or behavioural problems. The NHS 2001study found that 32% of mental or behavioral problem people reported smoking daily compared to 21% of people without (ABS, 2004). For agreements sake it was also found that 41% of individuals with mental or behavioural problems reported never regularly smoking, whilst 50% of those individuals without problem did. Psychological distress also results in slightly higher levels of inactivity, those as a whole was similar to that of those who did not report mental or behavioural problems (ABS, 2004) Alcohol consumption in the 2001 NHS, found that people with mental or behavioural problems were almost twice as likely to be high risk drinking (6.4%) than those without (3.9%) (ABS, 2004).


 * <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS **

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Since the introduction of medication, or stimulants for depression in 1940 – the idea that the they represent a ‘cure’ for depression has been circulating. This idea made popular in the 1950’s was formulated before there was any scientific evidence that medication could treat such a specific ‘disease’ (Depression alliance <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">, 2008). One large pushing factor was the need the psychiatric professions felt to move depression away from the asylums, and mental institutions and make it more social acceptable. These ideas were aided by pharmaceutical companies advertising and trials for the drug boosted credentials. (the creation of the concept of anti-depressants, 2008). Now in the 21st century, the idea that depression can be corrected by drug treatment has been marketed to the public more than ever, so the public has high expectations of ‘happy pills,’ and immediate cures to depression without being properly educated on the ways in which these treatments work (Smith, 1985; Mindframe National Media Initiative, 2011 <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">). By having such profitable aid

//<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">“Mental imbalance is about as acceptable as herpes. It’s never going to be accepted. But really, it’s a disease just like cancer. It just happens, and eats away all the good parts of your brain, like judgment and happiness and perception and memory and life. And you can die from depression just like any other disease. And it’s not as if people choose it. So why is it still a joke of medicine? ‘She died of cancer’ is a lot more socially acceptable to people than ‘she committed suicide.’ Why?” // //<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">- Sarahbeth Purcell //

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">In a way, being depressed has done a full turn around, from becoming trying to become socially acceptable in the 1960’s to be unacceptable in the 2010’s – people who seem upset or unhappy are told by those around them to get tested for depression, with so many different treatments available it is becoming more and more socially unacceptable to be upset. Socially those with mental illnesses, such as depression are the most affected by any misconceptions of anti-depressants – be that they don’t believe they work so avoid taking them, or others believe they are a miracle drug and can’t understand how they can still be depressed whilst in drug treatments.

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Awareness of the issue of depression, and the stigma associated with the drug treatments is important for the general public as well as those affected by mental or behavioral problems. It is important to have knowledge before taking the media information as gospel, not every article on the internet is true and the information they interpret can often have very different meanings to it’s original context. It is important to speak to someone of a medical background and research wisely, which a lot of the public don’t – of course the bad publicity is going to over throw the good publicity of anything.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">An article by Tartakovsky (2011) the developments in anti-depressants, and reflects that older medication only treated the monoamine system. Though scientists still do not fully understand the underlying biology that is involved in depression, there have been definite advancements in how the effective anti-depressants work with several new drugs on the market beginning to target new systems of the brain. A new line of drugs that have been released are considered “me-too” drugs meaning that on a molecular level they do similarly the same thing as their predecessor. These “me-too” drugs, though similar in molecular effectiveness all have large positive effects with fewer negative side effects. Recently, the most significant development in depression treatment has been the use of augmenting agents that is by adding anti-psychotic drugs to anti-depressants they can be made more effective. This showing that there is relative merit for current anti-depressants and anti-psychotic medication alike, with the future looking bright.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">ANALYSIS OF THE ARTEFACT AND YOUR OWN LEARNING REFLECTIONS **

<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">I feel that my ‘artefact’ represents my topic very well, the lyrics “the drugs don’t work, they just make you worse” were the key factor in my topic. My topic obviously being that antidepressants don’t ‘work’ in the way the public expects them too, they make you ‘worse’ – suicidal. Personally, I have always loved this song but looking at it in a new context helps me to find a hidden, deeper meaning – I will never listen to it quite the same. This assessment piece has helped me to understand anti-depressants realistically, as someone who thought they were just ‘happy pills’ my mind has been completely opened! I now know all about the stigma, the trials, the increased risk of suicide and the evidence that supports them. This whole assignment, has taught me to look at different perspectives on topics and become educated on a topic before generating an opinion, I believe this will greatly affect my future thinking process.

Anonymous. (2004). A conspiracy of silence: The suppressed evidence about anti-depressants. //Multinational Monitor, 25//(7/8), 34.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2004, Mental Health In Australia: A Snapshot, 2001, Australian Government Dept of Health and Ageing, ABS Canberra

Blier, P. (2008). Do antidepressants really work? // Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN, //// 33 // (2), 89-90.

Check, Erika. "Antidepressants: Bitter pills." //Nature// 431.7005 (2004): 122+. //Health// //Reference Center// //Academic//. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.

Depression alliance (2008), //The inside story; impact of depression on daily life,// Retrieved from http://www.depressionalliance.org/PDF/inside-story-report.pdf (13-1011)

Frazzetto, G. (2008). The drugs don't work for everyone. EMBO Reports, 9(7), 605-608. doi:10.1038/embor.2008.116

Fear of Antidepressants Keep Many From Disclosing Depression 2011, Drugs.com 2011, Retrieved October 30, 2011, from []

Greden, J. (2002). Unmet need: What justifies the search for a new antidepressant? // JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY,63 //, 3-7.

Holford, P. (2003). Food for thought. The Ecologist, 33(2), 20.

Kirsch I, Deacon BJ, Huedo-Medina TB, Scoboria A, Moore TJ, Johnson BT. Initial severity and antidepressant benefits: A meta-analysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. PLoS Medicine 2008; 5: 260-8.

Mindframe National Media Initiative, 2011, Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness: Brief Facts/Statistics, Australian Government Dept of Health and Ageing Retrieved from []

Moncrieff, J. (2007). Are antidepressants as effective as claimed? no, they are not effective at all. // Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie, 52 // (2), 96-97.

Nutt, D. J., & Malizia, A. L. (2008). Why does the world have such a 'down' on antidepressants? //Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 22//(3), 223-226. doi:10.1177/0269881108091877

Pestello, F., & Davis-Berman, J. (2008). Taking anti-depressant medication: A qualitative examination of internet postings. // Journal of Mental Health, 17 // (4), 349-349. doi:10.1080/096382307014983336

Tartakovsky, M. (2011). Depression: New Medications On The Horizon. // Psych Central //. Retrieved on October 20, 2011, from []

WHO, & ebrary, I. (2005). // Improving access and use of psychotropic medicines: Mental health policy and service guidance package //. Herndon: Stylus Publishing, LLC [Distributor].

World Health Organisation, 2011, Mental Health; Depression Retrieved on October 17, 2011, from []

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__ Reflection __**

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">CAGED WITHIN BODY AND MIND: An observation and discussion of the contrasting challenges faced by each nation in tackling mental health and its associated issues ====== Topic: Depression <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">** Title: reat work! ** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I really loved reading about your artefact - I too found it difficult to absorb issues that for the most point go unseen. I hope that one day that those considered mentally ill will all have equal rights - as clearly this man does not. Your review was very well constructed and informative. Well done!

Is generation Y ‘real’ or a creation of the media? Has the media created the ideal body image and what impact is it having on generation Y’s health?


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Topic: ** Is generation Y 'real' or a creation of the media? Has the media created the ideal body image and what impact is it having on generation Y's health?

Title: Come at me, bro

I really enjoyed reading this! In particular I found the ‘Body Image and Body Change Inventory’ 2003 study frightening, but horribly I can relate! I know when I was younger, I was always wishing myself skinner - though I must admit I never did anything about it. It's sad that people like 'Zyzz' have put themselves so much at risk as to die. I would hope his story discourages people from taking steroids. Leone and Fetro (2007) comment, always rings very true - that the media has such a huge impact, even if we don’t realise it. Generation Y really has it tough, it's not so much I think that they are more taken by media - but they are constantly surrounded by it.