Elissa H. Patterson – The Conversation

A diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair in some patients. Maria Korneeva/Moment via Getty Images

March 15, 2023

Depression too often gets deemed ‘hard to treat’ when medication falls short

Elissa H. Patterson, University of Michigan and Jay Kayser, University of Michigan

An overreliance on medication as the first-line treatment for depression can lead some people to be labeled with treatment-resistant depression when there are other viable alternatives for relief.

The concept of placebos – which are sometimes called “sugar pills” – has been around since the 1800s. Wladimir Bulgar/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

February 11, 2022

In research studies and in real life, placebos have a powerful healing effect on the body and mind

Elissa H. Patterson, University of Michigan and Hans Schroder, University of Michigan

Drug manufacturers often shun the use of placebos in clinical trials. But research suggests that placebos could play an important role in the treatment of depression, pain and other maladies.

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