Treating depression can be hit or miss

Los Angeles Times (August 3, 2009) --George Porter, a 47-year-old engineering librarian from La Cañada Flintridge, first became depressed after his father's heart attack nearly seven years ago. The married father of two was overcome with sadness that wouldn't go away and lost pleasure in activities he'd once enjoyed. "I'd been a voracious reader all my life, and I found it almost impossible to get through a book," he said. He often began sobbing uncontrollably.

Porter followed his doctor's advice to see a psychologist and take medication, cycling through at least half a dozen drugs. Many helped, but none worked completely.

Although doctors have more than 20 medications to choose from when prescribing a treatment for depression, there's still little way to know which drug will work for a particular person. Many people need to try two or three drugs or drug combinations before experiencing relief. Some go through six or more. "It's a hit-or-miss, trial-and-error kind of process," said Dr. Richard A. Friedman, a professor of clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College.

By Devon Schuyler

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