Irving Kirsch Quotes

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Depression is not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and it is not cured by medication. Depression may not even be an illness at all. Often, it can be a normal reaction to abnormal situations. Poverty, unemployment, and the loss of loved ones can make people depressed, and these social and situational causes of depression cannot be changed by drugs.

Irving Kirsch

Depression is a serious problem, but drugs are not the answer. In the long run, psychotherapy is both cheaper and more effective, even for very serious levels of depression. Physical exercise and self-help books based on CBT can also be useful, either alone or in combination with therapy. Reducing social and economic inequality would also reduce the incidence of depression.

Irving Kirsch

Irving Kirsch

Irving Kirsch

Born: March 7, 1943 (age 82)

Bio: Irving Kirsch is Associate Director of the Program in Placebo Studies and a lecturer in medicine at the Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Known for:

The Emperor's New Drugs (2009)
The Emperor's New Drugs Brain Shot (2010)

Irving Kirsch on Wikipedia

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