Science Friday - 'Manufacturing Depression'

[bananas]

On now.

http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201002053

Friday, February 5th, 2010
'Manufacturing Depression'
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Millions of Americans take antidepressant medications. But how did that come to be, and does such widespread use of antidepressants serve a real medical need? In this segment, Ira talks with Gary Greenberg, author of the book "Manufacturing Depression: The Secret History of a Modern Disease." What do we know about the causes of depression and how best to deal with it?
Guests

Peter Kramer
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Brown University
Author, "Listening to Prozac" and "Against Depression," (Viking, 2005)
PeterDKramer.com
Providence, Rhode Island

Gary Greenberg
Author, "Manufacturing Depression: The Secret History of a Modern Disease" (Simon & Schuster, 2010)
Freelance Journalist, published in Harper's and The New Yorker and a contributing writer to Mother Jones
Practicing Psychotherapist
New London, Connecticut
Related Links

* Newsweek: The Depressing News About Antidepressants
* LA TIMES: Study finds medication of little help to patients with mild, moderate depression (1/6/10)
* Dr. Peter Kramer at DoubleX: The Real Depression Story
* Dr. Peter Kramer at DoubleX: How Do Antidepressants Work? Newsweek Gets It Wrong

Segment produced by:Christopher Intagliata

[WhiteTara]

1. I blame Bush et al

I didn't sleep for 8 years and was constantly stressed by their actions. Maybe we should have a class action lawsuit.

[cutlassmama]

2. Sounds acceptable to me.

[Chemisse]

3. I am signing on! Those 8 years were very stressful. - nt

[Chemisse]

4. I am curious what their stance is on the whole issue

Lots of things have changed in the past decades. Have one or many of these things caused more stress, leading to more depression?

Or is it simply over diagnosed?