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Irving Kirsch
23quotes
Irving Kirsch: A Pioneering Psychologist's Life and Legacy
Full Name and Common Aliases
Irving Kirsch was born as Israel Ira Kirsch in 1939, later adopting the name Irving for professional purposes.
Birth and Death Dates
Kirsch passed away on November 13, 2018, at the age of 79. His birth date is not publicly available.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Irving Kirsch was a British-American psychologist who specialized in psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. He held dual citizenship of the United Kingdom and the United States.
Early Life and Background
Born to Jewish parents, Kirsch grew up in New York City. His family's background significantly influenced his academic pursuits. Showing an early interest in psychology, he began studying at a young age. This curiosity led him to pursue a career that would eventually make him one of the most influential voices in the field.
Major Accomplishments
Kirsch made significant contributions to psychotherapy and psychopharmacology through his research and publications. His work focused on understanding the mechanisms behind depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. Some notable achievements include:
Developing the concept of antidepressant placebos, which challenged conventional views on the efficacy of certain medications.
Serving as the Executive Director of the World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Affective Disorders.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Kirsch's notable works include:
"The Emperor's New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth" (2008), a book that argued against the widespread use of antidepressants.
"Listening to Prozac but Hearing Echoes" (1999), which provided an insightful critique of modern pharmacology.
Impact and Legacy
Irving Kirsch's work has had far-reaching implications for the fields of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. His research and publications have:
Challenged conventional views on mental health treatments, prompting a reevaluation of their efficacy.
Inspired new perspectives on the role of placebos in healing processes.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kirsch's groundbreaking work has made him a widely respected figure in the field. His commitment to understanding and addressing mental health conditions continues to inspire new generations of researchers, clinicians, and patients alike.
Quotes by Irving Kirsch
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When an active placebo is used, most clinical trials do not show a significant benefit for antidepressants.
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Although higher doses of antidepressants can produce more side effects,11 they do not produce greater reductions in depression.
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Perhaps anti-depressants should be best reserved for the very extreme cases and, more importantly, for those who do not respond to alternative forms of interventions.
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There seems little reason to prescribe anti-depressant medication to any but the most severely depressed patients.
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One problem I have with drug companies is that they don't make all their data public.
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If doctors just spent more time with their patients so they felt more reassured, that might help.
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If you're taking an antidepressant, it's working, and you're not experiencing side effects, go on taking it. But if it's not working, or not working well enough, or if you have side effects you don't like, talk to your doctor about an alternative approach.
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To someone who is not currently on anti-depressants, I would suggest trying other treatments first - for example, psychotherapy.
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Perhaps 10 percent of patients who are prescribed antidepressants are really benefiting from the drugs' active ingredients.
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