Bourdain, Spade suicides highlight need for new depression drugs

[rooster59]

Bourdain, Spade suicides highlight need for new depression drugs

Julie Steenhuysen

 

Anthony Bourdain arrives at the 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, September 15. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn

 

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The suicides this week of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade have cast fresh light on the need for more effective treatments for major depression, an area that has been largely abandoned by big pharmaceutical companies.

 

The news shocked fans and came as U.S. health authorities reported a sharp spike in suicide rates across the country since the beginning of the century. They called for a comprehensive approach to addressing depression and other contributing factors.

 

With the availability of numerous cheap generic antidepressants, many of which offer only marginal benefit, developing medicines for depression is a tough sell.

 

Drugmakers have 140 therapies in development targeting mental health issues, including 39 aimed at depression, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America trade group. That compares with the industry’s work on some 1,100 experimental cancer drugs, which can command some of the highest prices.

 

“Psychiatry has become a disfavored area for investment,” said Harry Tracy, whose newsletter NeuroPerspective tracks developments in drug treatments for psychiatric problems. “Insurers say ‘why should we pay more for a new treatment?’”

 

Developing antidepressants is risky. Patients in clinical trials often show a big placebo response, masking the efficacy of the drug being tested. In addition, once approved, antidepressants require a large sales force to reach psychiatrists as well as primary care providers.

 

Another impediment is the difficulty of conducting early depression research on animals that could form a basis for trials in people.

“This has been a big challenge to translate over to human clinical trials,” said Caroline Ko, project leader of NewCures, a newly formed program at Northwestern University aimed at reducing the risk of investment in treatments for depression, pain, Parkinson’s and other diseases.

 

Johnson & Johnson is the only large pharmaceutical company making a major investment in a new antidepressant, Tracy said. Smaller players include Sage Therapeutics, which expects a decision from U.S. regulators on a treatment for post-partum depression by the end of the year.

 

J&J’s esketamine targets treatment-resistant depression. It is similar to ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic and to relieve pain, and often abused as a recreational party drug with the street nickname Special K.

 

FILE PHOTO: Kate Spade arrives at the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards in New York on June 2, 2003, at the New York Public Library. REUTERS/Chip East/File Photo

 

The company expects to file for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of esketamine this year.

 

Dr. Husseini Manji, global head of neuroscience at J&J’s Janssen unit, said there is great need for new treatments as about half of people with depression fail to respond to current therapies.

 

He believes esketamine, a rapid-acting nasal spray, will narrow the time it takes for patients to see a benefit.

 

“Standard antidepressants can take weeks to work. They really are not useful in a crisis situation,” said Carla Canuso, who is leading J&J’s effort testing the drug in people deemed at imminent risk for suicide, which is most commonly associated with depression.

 

Allergan Plc is developing rapastinel, a fast-acting intravenous antidepressant the company purchased in 2015.

 

The drug has breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA, with clinical trial results expected in early 2019. Last month, the company acquired another depression drug from its collaborator Aptinyx.

 

Dr. Julie Goldstein Grumet, a behavioral health expert from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, said besides Bourdain and Spade, 122 people in the United States took their lives by suicide each day last week. Many were never even diagnosed with a mental illness.

“We’re missing opportunities to screen people for the risk of suicide,” she said.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-06-09

[ezzra]

I'm not the one to follow up on personalities and famous people, but as a foodie, i liked Anthony Bourdain for his whimsical and honest approach to food and life,

i was saddened to hear that no matter how famous and rich they are, they still burdened and in many times, succumbs to this dreaded illness of the minds,

he will be sadly missed...

[TheFishman1]

How did he commit suicide 

[connda]

Big Pharma is off like a shot - "We need new drugs!!!"  $$$ Cha-Ching $$$ 
It's truly shocking the percentage of people in the 'developed world' are on anti-depressants.  Talk about a massive cash-cow for the corporate pill-pushers.  Example, approximately 15% of Americans take anti-depressants.  So that's about 30 million people.  Wow!  A billion dollar a year cash cow at that.
Big Pharma: "We need to hook more people!"

Perhaps people need to revisit how their ancestored coped with life.  Therein may lie the key for living a fulfilled life without the temptation of of ending it when things are perceived to be other than perfect.
Personally I recommend meditation.  Although not a 'quick fix', over time it works and it's free. 

Edited June 9, 2018 by connda

[lannarebirth]

24 minutes ago, connda said:

Big Pharma is off like a shot - "We need new drugs!!!"  $$$ Cha-Ching $$$ 
It's truly shocking the percentage of people in the 'developed world' are on anti-depressants.  Talk about a massive cash-cow for the corporate pill-pushers.  Example, approximately 15% of Americans take anti-depressants.  So that's about 30 million people.  Wow!  A billion dollar a year cash cow at that.
Big Pharma: "We need to hook more people!"

Perhaps people need to revisit how their ancestored coped with life.  Therein may lie the key for living a fulfilled life without the temptation of of ending it when things are perceived to be other than perfect.
Personally I recommend meditation.  Although not a 'quick fix', over time it works and it's free. 

 

Great post. People need to bolster their coping mechanisms rather than believe there is a pill for whatever ails you. Especially if what ails you is everyday life.

 

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/malady-mongers-how-drug-companies-sell-treatments-by-inventing-diseases_us_5b1ab5e4e4b0adfb8268c762

[Rarebear]

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

How did he commit suicide 

Hung himself.

[atyclb]

i would have never imagined ab to kill himself.  he always seemed so level headed and in control. his worldly food travels were very interesting.

 

in the below video at 2:25 anthony bourdain playing tambourine . backup for mazzy star

 

 

[Rarebear]

35 minutes ago, connda said:

Big Pharma is off like a shot - "We need new drugs!!!"  $$$ Cha-Ching $$$ 
It's truly shocking the percentage of people in the 'developed world' are on anti-depressants.  Talk about a massive cash-cow for the corporate pill-pushers.  Example, approximately 15% of Americans take anti-depressants.  So that's about 30 million people.  Wow!  A billion dollar a year cash cow at that.
Big Pharma: "We need to hook more people!"

Perhaps people need to revisit how their ancestored coped with life.  Therein may lie the key for living a fulfilled life without the temptation of of ending it when things are perceived to be other than perfect.
Personally I recommend meditation.  Although not a 'quick fix', over time it works and it's free. 

There are good psychiatrists and bad ones.  I went to one for a long time.  He helped me stop drinking and smoking - quit my job, divorce my wife and move to Thailand where I married a woman 30 years my junior and started meditating with the forest monks.  At first the doctor gave me a number of pills to help me cope and then reduced the dosage till they were no longer necessary.  He wasn't cheap.  He was an MD and had degrees in Pharmacology and Anthropology in addition to Psychiatry.  Certainly Bourdain could have afforded that kind of care but chose not to.  25% of American woman 50 to 60 take anti depressant pills. Bourdain had a good looking young gf and a great job, travel and tons of money.  I imagine we will eventually find out what went wrong. 

[marko kok prong]

1 hour ago, Rarebear said:

There are good psychiatrists and bad ones.  I went to one for a long time.  He helped me stop drinking and smoking - quit my job, divorce my wife and move to Thailand where I married a woman 30 years my junior and started meditating with the forest monks.  At first the doctor gave me a number of pills to help me cope and then reduced the dosage till they were no longer necessary.  He wasn't cheap.  He was an MD and had degrees in Pharmacology and Anthropology in addition to Psychiatry.  Certainly Bourdain could have afforded that kind of care but chose not to.  25% of American woman 50 to 60 take anti depressant pills. Bourdain had a good looking young gf and a great job, travel and tons of money.  I imagine we will eventually find out what went wrong. 

You are missing the point in your last sentence,just because you have money a great job and a tasty girl,does not mean you cannot suffer from depression. I have a pretty good life here and am financially sound,yet i suffer from regular bouts of depression,i have tried many medications yet most of them stopped me sleeping,Amprtiline one of the older drugs helped but after 5 days i was like a zombie,i had no emotion's or feeling of any sort,so i stopped.Now i just lock myself away for a few days until it goes.

 I did try to gas myself once head in the oven,lucky for me it was electric,i just got really hot.

[FitnessHealthTravel]

Sure that's what we need, more drugs.  Are you kidding?

[Rarebear]

10 minutes ago, marko kok prong said:

You are missing the point in your last sentence,just because you have money a great job and a tasty girl,does not mean you cannot suffer from depression. I have a pretty good life here and am financially sound,yet i suffer from regular bouts of depression,i have tried many medications yet most of them stopped me sleeping,Amprtiline one of the older drugs helped but after 5 days i was like a zombie,i had no emotion's or feeling of any sort,so i stopped.Now i just lock myself away for a few days until it goes.

 I did try to gas myself once head in the oven,lucky for me it was electric,i just got really hot.

My point was he could afford good care.  He was a heroin addict and kicked it.  Even the most unintelligent addicts know that when kicking one drug you can't keep using others like booze.  They either all go or you go.  I told my shrink - no problem kicking booze I'd stay on the hard drugs.  He laughed as he wrote me prescriptions that would assist me getting off of all substances. 

[Morch]

2 hours ago, atyclb said:

i would have never imagined ab to kill himself.  he always seemed so level headed and in control. his worldly food travels were very interesting.

 

in the below video at 2:25 anthony bourdain playing tambourine . backup for mazzy star

 

 

 

Keith Mitchell, actually, but thanks for the clip anyway.

 

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/mazzy-star-drummer-keith-mitchell-dead-w482297

 

[atyclb]

45 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Keith Mitchell, actually, but thanks for the clip anyway.

 

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/mazzy-star-drummer-keith-mitchell-dead-w482297

 

 

wow, i and some others thought it was bourdain

[lucjoker]

2 hours ago, atyclb said:

i would have never imagined ab to kill himself.  he always seemed so level headed and in control. his worldly food travels were very interesting.

 

in the below video at 2:25 anthony bourdain playing tambourine . backup for mazzy star

 

 

impressive......completely drugged and still singing .....

also the bassist is wondered why she's not falling over ......

Some people call her "a star"......a "black hole " maybe?

[Jingthing]

A big loss.

He had a unique voice.

He was not only about loving food and exploring other cultures via food.

He was a truth teller about the U.S. restaurant industry and it's reliance on immigrants and he was rather a philosopher as well.

His past history as a drug addict gave him a realness edge.

Totally shocked. 

[Krataiboy]

 

My primary concern, as the father of two teenage girls, is not so much with the privileged Anthony Burdains of this world, but with the huge number of young people who choose to end their lives prematurely.  Globally, suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15−29-year-olds. Thailand is said to be facing an epidemic.

 

Evidence is emerging from around the world of a link between the anxiety and depression caused by addiction to smartphones and social media and the tragedy of squandered young lives. Cyberbullying and fear of not "belonging", along with sleep deprivation tied to constant smartphone use are cited as factors undermining teens' mental health and well-being.

 

If this weren't bad enough, Thailand tops the international league table for social media use. On average, Thais spend over nine and a half hours a day surfing sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Add this to the pressure of schoolwork and all the other stuff young folk have to deal with and outlook is worrying to say the least.

 

I've tried coaxing, badgering and - though I hate to admit it - occasional bullying to coax my girls away from their potentially damaging and dangerous smartphones for a few hours a day, without success.

 

I am reluctant to resort to bribery, as it's form of corruption already endemic here and not to be further encouraged. But all and any other sensible suggestions welcomed.

 

 

[Rarebear]

5 minutes ago, Krataiboy said:

 

My primary concern, as the father of two teenage girls, is not so much with the privileged Anthony Burdains of this world, but with the huge number of young people who choose to end their lives prematurely.  Globally, suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15−29-year-olds. Thailand is said to be facing an epidemic.

 

Evidence is emerging from around the world of a link between the anxiety and depression caused by addiction to smartphones and social media and the tragedy of squandered young lives. Cyberbullying and fear of not "belonging", along with sleep deprivation tied to constant smartphone use are cited as factors undermining teens' mental health and well-being.

 

If this weren't bad enough, Thailand tops the international league table for social media use. On average, Thais spend over nine and a half hours a day surfing sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Add this to the pressure of schoolwork and all the other stuff young folk have to deal with and outlook is worrying to say the least.

 

I've tried coaxing, badgering and - though I hate to admit it - occasional bullying to coax my girls away from their potentially damaging and dangerous smartphones for a few hours a day, without success.

 

I am reluctant to resort to bribery, as it's form of corruption already endemic here and not to be further encouraged. But all and any other sensible suggestions welcomed.

 

 

When I think of depression I think of lonely unconnected people in a cold hotel room contemplating death and not happy Thai teenagers taking a selfie of their latest adventure.  Cell phones encourage social interaction as opposed to lone depression.  Teach the kids how to program phone apps and make some money.   

[spidermike007]

Maybe. Is it a coincidence that the suicide rates in the US are up 30%? Maybe it is the air of desperation. Maybe it is the bitter, disenchanted, joyless atmosphere of the place. Obviously neither of these souls struggled with money. Bourdain was worth $16 million, and Spade over $150 million. But, they were both based in the US. And that is not an easy place to be, no matter your station in life. I believe the use of anti-depressants is higher in the US, than any other nation on earth, per capita. And since I spend time there, I can see why!

 

A once great nation, that is slipping down the slope rapidly. 

Edited June 9, 2018 by spidermike007

[Morch]

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Maybe. Is it a coincidence that the suicide rates in the US are up 30%? Maybe it is the air of desperation. Maybe it is the bitter, disenchanted, joyless atmosphere of the place. Obviously neither of these souls struggled with money. Bourdain was worth $16 million, and Spade over $150 million. But, they were both based in the US. And that is not an easy place to be, no matter your station in life.

 

A once great nation, that is slipping down the slope rapidly. 

 

Unless mistaken, the 30% increase cited is spread across almost 20 years. No idea how this compares with global figures. If you think the US is "not an easy place to be", perhaps you ought to travel more. As far as I'm aware, the US does not top any suicide related statistics list. Other than smaller countries which may feature, Russia and India are often mentioned.

[Jingthing]

A friend of Bourdain speaks --

 

 

[atyclb]

1 hour ago, lucjoker said:

impressive......completely drugged and still singing .....

also the bassist is wondered why she's not falling over ......

Some people call her "a star"......a "black hole " maybe?

 

be more specific why she is completely drugged in your opinion

[mtls2005]

Spade was evidently obsessed with Robin Williams suicide.

 

Feel for Eric Ripert, whom I guess found Tony.

 

[Rarebear]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Maybe. Is it a coincidence that the suicide rates in the US are up 30%? Maybe it is the air of desperation. Maybe it is the bitter, disenchanted, joyless atmosphere of the place. Obviously neither of these souls struggled with money. Bourdain was worth $16 million, and Spade over $150 million. But, they were both based in the US. And that is not an easy place to be, no matter your station in life. I believe the use of anti-depressants is higher in the US, than any other nation on earth, per capita. And since I spend time there, I can see why!

 

A once great nation, that is slipping down the slope rapidly. 

Bourdain was an alcoholic in denial.  Alcohol is a depressant.  It's not too complicated.  Nor does it indict a whole society.  Drunks have been committing suicide in one way or another for centuries. 

[Jingthing]

31 minutes ago, Rarebear said:

Bourdain was an alcoholic in denial.  Alcohol is a depressant.  It's not too complicated.  Nor does it indict a whole society.  Drunks have been committing suicide in one way or another for centuries. 

He did drink a lot during the show as part of the entertainment but reports I've read say he was not a heavy drinker otherwise. Yes, he had been addicted to other drugs years ago but that was also reported to have not been a recent issue. I actually don't recall this so I'm asking, was alcohol abuse one of his problems during his druggie phase? 

 

I'm also looking for some kind of explanation for this but not convinced as yet by the reason you give. 

Edited June 9, 2018 by Jingthing

[Rarebear]

9 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

He did drink a lot during the show as part of the entertainment but reports I've read say he was not a heavy drinker otherwise. Yes, he had been addicted to other drugs years ago but that was also reported to have not been a recent issue. I actually don't recall this so I'm asking, was alcohol abuse one of his problems during his druggie phase? 

 

I'm also looking for some kind of explanation for this but not convinced as yet by the reason you give. 

Unlike many addicts, who give up any and all substances when they get clean, Anthony Bourdain continued to drink alcohol, which is why you might have seen him pounding shots of soju in South Korea, or enjoying beers with many of his meals. He knew it was unusual, writing that, "Most people who kick heroin and cocaine have to give up on everything.

 

You hear this a lot in any AA meeting.  He was a drunk.  I say that in a kind way because so was I and many of my friends. But nothing special.  Just a drunk.  It is when you realize you are nothing special, just a drunk that you have a chance.  John Denver used to go to AA meetings to but he stopped and killed himself. 

[gandalf12]

Sad they should take this exit from the world. Just goes to show that having money is not the way to happiness contrary to what many people think

[Rarebear]

1 minute ago, gandalf12 said:

Sad they should take this exit from the world. Just goes to show that having money is not the way to happiness contrary to what many people think

Or you could say that alcohol is a depressant and may cause suicide in rich or poor alike.

[Jingthing]

10 minutes ago, Rarebear said:

Unlike many addicts, who give up any and all substances when they get clean, Anthony Bourdain continued to drink alcohol, which is why you might have seen him pounding shots of soju in South Korea, or enjoying beers with many of his meals. He knew it was unusual, writing that, "Most people who kick heroin and cocaine have to give up on everything.

 

You hear this a lot in any AA meeting.  He was a drunk.  I say that in a kind way because so was I and many of my friends. But nothing special.  Just a drunk.  It is when you realize you are nothing special, just a drunk that you have a chance.  John Denver used to go to AA meetings to but he stopped and killed himself. 

OK, that's one theory.

Not suggesting this is a good source, but here are some more theories.

https://www.yourtango.com/2018314165/why-did-anthony-bourdain-commit-suicide-5-sad-details-about-bourdains-death-addiction

Unless there was a note, I reckon people will just have to keep guessing. 

[atyclb]

2 minutes ago, Rarebear said:

Or you could say that alcohol is a depressant and may cause suicide in rich or poor alike.

 

 

alcoholism may be the worlds only true democracy

[Lokie]

Shocked to hear this news,

 

From the UK, I always enjoyed ABs Food/Travel shows and dry wit which he had in abundance. He kept things feeling real but I also thought he had 'something of the night' about him? an edge which was refreshing as a lot of other foodie/Travel shows are like a limp biscuit so to speak

 

R I P