The real reason most people get better is because they are making progress with the underlying problems. After 4 to 8 weeks a majority of people improve--whether given a drug, getting "talk" therapy, working on their own, or even taking a harmless and inactive placebo.

   Also, many people are told that the adverse effects are a sign the drug is working. Actually it means that the drug is interefering with the normal functioning of the brain.

   And it's likely that the drugs have a striking effect in a small minority of people, as do a wide array of other drugs including caffeine, alcohol and tranquilizers.