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The Effectiveness of Fluoxetine
in Treating Unipolar Depression |
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Michael Hofkamp |
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The methods used for this study were scientifically sound. The researchers showed diligence in rejecting patients who had psychological problems outside the realm of anorexia nervosa. "Subjects were excluded if they 1) were medically unstable; 2) reported a past allergy to fluoxetine; 3) met criteria for alcohol or drug dependence in the last 6 months; 4) met criteria for bipolar illness or for psychotic disorder, current or lifetime; or 5) met criteria for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) with onset before that of anorexia nervosa" (Attia, Haiman, Walsh, & Flater, 1998). The researchers were careful to control the sample of patients so the results could be accurately correlated with the hypothetical causes.
The results of the study indicated that fluoxetine had little clinical value in treating patients suffering with anorexia nervosa. "Compared to placebo, fluoxetine conferred no additional benefit to the inpatient treatment of underweight patients with anorexia nervosa" (Attia, Haiman, Walsh, & Flater, 1998). Patients did show improvement in their depression levels, but the difference between the sample group and placebo group was too small to identify a clear benefit. "There was also no indication
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