Latest Depression Treatments

If your depression doesn't get better by taking antidepressants or psychotherapy new medications that respond quickly may be able to treat depression that is resistant to treatment.

SSRIs are the most popular and well-known antidepressants. They affect the way the brain uses serotonin.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you change negative thoughts and behaviours, such as hopelessness. It's available on the NHS for 8 to 16 sessions.

1. Esketamine

In March 2019, the FDA approved a new nasal spray for depression that is called esketamine. (Brand name Spravato). It is made from the anesthetic ketamine that has been proven to aid in the treatment of severe cases of depression. The nasal spray can be used alongside an oral antidepressant to treat depression that has not responded to standard medication. In one study 70% of patients with depression that was resistant to treatment were given this drug responded well - a much greater response rate than taking an oral antidepressant.

Esketamine is different from standard antidepressants. It boosts the levels of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters, that relay messages between brain cells. The results aren't immediate. Patients typically feel a little better after a couple of days but the effects last longer than with SSRIs or SNRIs, which may take weeks or even months to take effect.

Researchers believe that esketamine helps reduce depression symptoms by enhancing brain cell connections. In animal studies, esketamine reversed these connections that can be broken down by chronic stress and depression. It also appears to stimulate the development of neurons which can reduce suicidal feelings and thoughts.

Esketamine differs from other antidepressants because it is administered via nasal spray. This allows it to get into your bloodstream more quickly than pills or oral medications. The drug has been found to decrease symptoms of depression within a matter of hours, and in certain people the effects are immediately.

A recent study that followed patients for 16-weeks found that not all patients who started treatment with esketamine were in Remission. This is a bit disappointing, but not surprising according to Dr. Amit A. Anand, a ketamine expert who was not involved with the study.

Esketamine is available only in clinical trials or in private practice. It is not considered a first-line treatment option for depression and is typically prescribed when SSRIs or SNRIs have not performed for a person suffering from treatment-resistant depression. A patient's doctor will determine if the disorder is not responding to treatment and discuss whether it is possible to use esketamine for treatment.

2. tms treatment for depression

TMS employs magnetic fields to stimulate brain nerve cells. It is non-invasive, doesn't require anesthesia or surgery, and has been shown to improve depression in people who don't respond to medication or psychotherapy. It's also been used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

For depression, TMS therapy is typically administered as a series of 36 daily treatments spread over six weeks. The magnetic pulses feel like pinpricks that are placed on the scalp, and may be a little difficult to get used to. After an appointment, patients can return to work or at home. Each TMS session can last between 3.5 minutes and 20 minutes, based on the stimulation pattern.

Researchers believe that rTMS can alter the way neurons communicate. This process is known as neuroplasticity, and it lets the brain form new connections and change how it operates.

TMS is FDA approved to treat depression in cases that other treatments such as medication and talk therapy have not been successful. It has also been proven to be effective in treating tinnitus as well as OCD. Researchers are examining whether it could be used ways to treat depression treat anxiety and Parkinson's disease.

While a variety of studies have shown that TMS can help with depression, not everyone who receives the treatment will experience a positive effect. It is essential to undergo a thorough psychiatric as well as medical evaluation before trying this treatment. TMS is not a good option in the event of a history or a history of certain medications.

If you've been suffering from depression and aren't experiencing the benefits of your current treatment plan, a chat with your psychiatrist may be beneficial. You may be eligible for an TMS trial or other forms of neurostimulation. However, you need to first test several antidepressants before your insurance will cover the cost. If you are interested in knowing more about these life-changing treatments, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our experts will assist you in determining if TMS treatment is suitable for you.

3. Deep brain stimulation

A noninvasive therapy that resets the brain circuitry could be effective in just one week for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression treatment food. Researchers have devised new methods that enable them to deliver high-dose electromagnetic pulses to the brain in a shorter time and on a schedule that is more suitable for patients.

Stanford neuromodulation therapy, now available in the Advanced Psychiatric Therapeutics Clinic at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences utilizes MRI images to guide electrodes to send magnetic impulses to specific areas of the brain. In a study conducted recently, Mitra & Raichle found that in three quarters of depression patients the normal flow of neural activity was reversed from the anterior cortex to the anterior isola. With SNT this flow was restored to normal within a week, and coincided with a reduction in their depression.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), an even more extensive procedure, may produce similar results in certain patients. After an array of tests to determine the optimal place for the implant, neurosurgeons can insert one or more wires, referred to as leads, into the brain. The leads are connected to a nerve stimulator implanted under the collarbone, which appears to be a heart-pacemaker. The device supplies continuous electrical current to the leads which alters the brain's natural circuitry and reduces depression symptoms.

Some psychotherapy treatments may also help relieve depression symptoms, such as cognitive behavior therapy and interpersonal therapy. Psychotherapy can be conducted in groups or in one-onone sessions with a mental healthcare professional. Therapists may also offer Telehealth services.

Antidepressants are the mainstay of treatment for depression. In recent times, however, there have been some notable improvements in how quickly they can help alleviate symptoms of depression. Newer drugs, such as gepirone (Exxua), esketamine (Spravato), brexanolone (Zulresso) and dextromethorphan-bupropion (Auvelity), all have been shown to work faster than older antidepressants.

Other treatments employ magnetic or electric stimulation to stimulate the brain, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). These are more complex procedures that require under a physician's care. In some instances they can trigger seizures or other serious adverse side effects.

4. Light therapy

Bright light therapy involves sitting or standing in front of a bright light source. This therapy has been used for a number of years to treat seasonal depression and major depressive disorder (SAD). Studies have shown that it can relieve symptoms like sadness and fatigue by regulating the circadian rhythm and boosting mood. It is also beneficial for those suffering with depression that is not a continuous one.

Light therapy mimics sunlight, which is a major element of a biological clock referred to as suprachiasmatic (SCN). The SCN is associated with mood and light therapy may alter the circadian rhythms that can contribute to depression. In addition, light therapy can reduce melatonin levels and improve the function of neurotransmitters.

Some doctors employ light therapy to combat winter blues. This is a milder form of depression that is similar to SAD however it affects fewer individuals and is more prevalent during the seasons that have the least amount of sunlight. To get the most effective results, they suggest that you sit in front of the box for 30 minutes each Morning depression treatment while you are awake. Contrary to antidepressants, which may take weeks to begin working and can cause adverse effects such as nausea or weight gain light therapy can provide results in a matter of a week. It is also safe for pregnant women as well as older adults.

Researchers warn against using light therapy under the supervision of a mental health professional or psychiatrist, because it could cause manic episodes in those with bipolar disorders. Some people may experience fatigue during the first week, as light therapy can reset their sleep-wake cycle.

PCPs should be aware of the new treatments that have been approved by the FDA however, they shouldn't neglect tried-and-true methods like antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy. Dr. Hellerstein told Healio that while the search for better and newer treatments is exciting, we should be focusing on the most established treatments. He says that PCPs should concentrate on educating their patients on the benefits of the latest treatments and help them stick to their treatment strategies. That can include offering transportation to the doctor's office or setting reminders to take medication and attend therapy sessions.