Latest Depression Treatments

The positive side is that if your depression does not improve with psychotherapy and antidepressants, new drugs that are fast-acting offer promise in treating treatment-resistant depression.

SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the most commonly prescribed and well-known antidepressants. They work by altering how the brain processes serotonin which is an important chemical messenger.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, helps you to change negative thoughts and behaviors, such as hopelessness. The NHS offers 8 to 16 sessions.

1. Esketamine

The FDA approved a new treatment for depression in March 2019 nasal spray known as esketamine (brand name Spravato). It is derived from the anesthetic, Ketamine. This has been shown to be effective in severe depression. The nasal spray can be used with an oral antidepressant in order to treat depression that has not responded to standard medications. In one study 70 percent of those suffering from treatment-resistant depression treated with the drug showed good results which was a higher response rate than with only an oral antidepressant.

Esketamine differs from standard antidepressants. It increases the amount of neurotransmitters that transmit messages between brain cells. The results aren't immediate. Patients typically feel a little better after a couple of days but the effects last for a longer time than SSRIs or SNRIs, which may take anywhere from weeks to months to begin to show effects.

Researchers believe that esketamine reduces depression symptoms by enhancing connections between brain cells. In animal studies, esketamine reversed the breakdown of these connections which can be found in chronic stress and depression. It also appears to stimulate the development of neurons which can reduce suicidal feelings and thoughts.

Another reason esketamine is different from other antidepressants is the fact that it is delivered through an nasal spray that allows it to get into the bloodstream much faster than a pill or oral medication would. The drug has been found to decrease depression symptoms within a matter of hours. In some people the effects are immediately.

A recent study that tracked patients for 16 weeks revealed that not all patients who started treatment with esketamine had reached remission. This is disappointing but not surprising, according to Dr. Amit Anand, an expert on ketamine who was not involved in the study.

Esketamine is only available in private practice or clinical trials. It isn't considered a first-line treatment option for depression, and is usually prescribed only when SSRIs or SNRIs haven't performed for a person suffering from treatment-resistant depression. A patient's physician can determine if their condition is refractory to treatment and discuss whether it is possible to use esketamine for treatment.

2. TMS

TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate brain nerve cells. It is noninvasive, does not require anesthesia or surgery, and has been shown to improve depression treatment food for people who don't respond to medication or psychotherapy. It has also been used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

TMS therapy for depression treatment medications is usually delivered in a series 36 daily treatments spread out over six weeks. The magnetic pulses may feel like pinpricks in the scalp. It could take some time to become accustomed to. Patients are able to return to work and home immediately after a treatment session. Each TMS session lasts between 3.5 minutes and 20 minutes, based on the stimulation pattern.

Researchers believe that rTMS works by changing the way neurons communicate with one another. This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to establish new connections and alter its functions.

TMS is FDA approved to treat depression in situations where other therapies such as talk therapy and medication have not worked. It has also been proven to aid those suffering from tinnitus, OCD and pain. Researchers are examining whether it could be used to treat Parkinson's disease.

While a variety of studies have proven that TMS can help with depression but not everyone who gets the treatment experiences a benefit. Before you embark on this treatment, it is important to undergo an exhaustive medical and psychiatric evaluation. If you have any history of seizures or are taking certain medications, TMS may not be right for you.

Talking to your doctor could be beneficial if you're suffering from depression, but are not seeing any benefits from your current treatment. You could be eligible to participate in an TMS trial or other forms neurostimulation. However, you must first try a variety of antidepressants before your insurance company will cover the cost. If you're interested in learning more about these life-changing treatments for depression, call us now for a free consultation. Our specialists can help you through the process of deciding whether TMS is the right option for you.

3. Deep brain stimulation

For people with treatment-resistant depression A non-invasive treatment that rewires brain circuits can be effective in just a week. Researchers have developed new methods that deliver high-dose magnetic signals to the brain more quickly and on a schedule more manageable 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 pulses into specific brain regions. In a recent research, Mitra & Raichle found that in three quarters (or more) of patients suffering from depression the normal flow of neural activity was disrupted, shifting from the anterior cortex to the anterior isola. With SNT this flow was restored to normal within a week, coinciding with the lifting of their depression.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), an invasive procedure, can cause similar results in certain patients. After a series of tests to determine the most appropriate place for the implant, neurosurgeons can insert one or more wires, known as leads, in the brain. The leads are connected by an electrical stimulation device, which is inserted beneath the collarbone. It appears like the appearance of a pacemaker. The device delivers continuous electrical current to the leads which alters the brain's natural circuitry and reduces depression symptoms.

Certain psychotherapy therapies like cognitive behavior therapy and inter-personal therapy can also help alleviate agitated depression treatment (advice here) symptoms. Psychotherapy can take place in an environment of group or one-on-one sessions with a mental health professional. Some therapists also provide telehealth services.

Antidepressants are still the cornerstone of treatment for depression. In recent years, however, there have also been notable advancements in the speed at which 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 therapies use magnetic or electric stimulation to stimulate the brain, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). These are more complicated procedures that need to be performed under the supervision of a physician. In certain instances, they can cause seizures or other serious side effects.

4. Light therapy

Bright light therapy, which involves working or sitting in front of an artificial light source, has been proven for years to treat major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns (SAD). Studies show that it can alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and sadness by controlling the circadian rhythm and enhancing mood. It also aids people who experience depression that comes and goes.

Light therapy works by mimicking sunlight, which is a crucial element of the biological clock known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is connected to mood and light therapy may alter the circadian rhythms that may contribute to depression. Light therapy can also decrease the production of melatonin and improve the function of neurotransmitters.

Some doctors are also using light therapy to treat a less severe kind of depression called winter blues. It is similar to SAD but affects fewer people and only occurs in the months when there is less daylight. To achieve the best results, they suggest that you lie in front of the box for 30 minutes every morning while awake. Light therapy can produce results within one week, unlike antidepressants that can take a few weeks to begin working and may trigger adverse effects like nausea or weight increase. It is also suitable for pregnant women and older adults.

Researchers advise against using light therapy without the supervision of an expert in mental health or psychiatrist, since it could trigger manic episodes in people who suffer from bipolar disorders. It can also make people feel tired in the first week of treatment due to the fact that it can alter their sleep and wake patterns.

PCPs should be aware of new treatments approved by the FDA. However, they shouldn't ignore tried-and-true methods like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy. "The search for newer and better treatments is exciting, but we should continue to focus on the most well-established therapies," Dr. Hellerstein says to Healio. He suggests PCPs need to inform their patients about the advantages of new treatments and aid them in sticking with their treatment plans. This could include providing them with transportation to the doctor's office or setting reminders to take medications and attend therapy sessions.