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Treatments recommended by health shops for symptoms of depression

St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, email: joycereed{at}doctors.org.uk

Peter Trigwell, Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry

Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds LS1 36X

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

We assessed the appropriateness of treatments recommended by health shop staff for symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression using participant observation with ten members of staff from ten different health shops selling herbal medicinal preparations.

RESULTS

A wide range of treatment options were suggested by health shop staff when presented with common symptoms of depression. The majority have no firm evidence base, with the exception of St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Most alternative treatments recommended by health shops for the treatment of depression have a poor evidence base. Implications for training and communication between agencies are discussed.