Re-thinking the treatment of depression: have we been misinformed about antidepressants? A webinar discussion with Irving Kirsch, Ph.D. and Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D.

Abstract

This article provides an edited transcript of a moderated discussion between depression experts Irving Kirsch and Michael Yapko regarding the role of antidepressants in the treatment of major depression. It includes references to the role of expectancy and the merits of hypnosis in treatment. This presentation was sponsored by MindsetHealth, an Australian-based digital therapeutics company (mindsethealth.com) and took place online on March 28, 2023. As a webinar offered at no cost, it was open to anyone with an interest in the subject. Dr. Kirsch described his landmark research on the placebo effect and its curious relationship to the presumed merits of antidepressant medications. Dr. Yapko discussed the limitations of drug treatment based on the substantial evidence indicating that depression is much more a social problem than a medical one. The moderator for this discussion is Claire Davidson, who serves as the Research Lead at MindsetHealth. Drs. Kirsch and Yapko both serve on the MindsetHealth Scientific Advisory Board.