Dr. David Burns was on the original team of researchers in the 1970s tasked with determining the accuracy of the serotonin deficiency theory of depression.

They concluded there was no evidence for it. At the time, and ever since, research has consistently shown that anti-depressants are about 1% more effective than placebos for depression.

Regarding treatment of physical pain, both the American and international associations of pain medicine have declared the "pain" should be defined as "psychological" - NOT meaning"it's only in your head, but simply that all pain (like all sensation, all sound, all sights, etc) is mediated by the brain and nervous system.

Research has been consistent since the 1990s that psychological pain management PLUS medication is more effective than medication alone.

Also, a truly comprehensive program has been asserted as the basis for mental health since the biopsychosocial approach was defined in 1977 - that is, a full program of healthy eating, exercise, sleep, stress management, psychotherapy (NOT just talk but a full range of somatic interventions) AND medication AND socio-environmental changes.

This has been written about, talked about, prescribed, but who follows up?

The problem is not the treatment. We know how to treat pain and depression and most other conditions. But just like we live in an obesigenic environment that more than anything else leads to the worldwide obesity epidemic, we live in a depressogenic environment that leads to depression, anxiety and chronic physical pain.

I'd say, one of the first things necessary is honesty. Truthfulness. Accuracy in reporting.