Over the past ten years, or so, DTC advertising has received a lot of negative attention due to a variety of factors. One element of DTC advertising that has repeatedly been argued in regards to prescription drugs is the legitimacy and efficacy presented by this type of advertising. These specific questions are particularly significant when it comes to considering the marketing of prescription drugs intended to treat depression and anxiety. It is common for an anti-depressant advertisement to outline common symptoms associated with clinical depression. These types of advertisements are notorious for outlining vague, wide-ranging symptoms that could just as easily be signs of various different, perhaps less serious, problems. With the decrease in regulations dictated by the FDA for prescription drug advertising the competition between pharmaceutical manufacturers has also increased. This increase in competition in the market of prescription drugs has led advertisers to utilize whatever means possible to promote their product and hopefully dominate the market. Because clinical depression and anxiety are more and more commonly appearing conditions the competition for this particular drug has become increasingly fierce. In this essay, due to this increased competition in the realm of prescription anti-depressants, and their domination of the market I will attempt to answer the question of how do prescription drug advertisers contribute to the self diagnosis, and possible misdiagnosis, among American consumers? In an effort to answer the above question I will draw upon information previously presented by fellow scholars, as well as my own assumptions and interpretations. I will attempt to answer the previously proposed question by looking at three television advertisements for prescription medication intended to treat depression and anxiety. The commercials I will analyze are the most recent commercials for prescription Effexor XR, and Zoloft. I will answer my...