Latest Depression Treatments

If your depression doesn't improve by taking antidepressants or psychotherapy new medications that work quickly may be able treat treatment-resistant depression.

SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the most frequently prescribed and well-known antidepressants. They alter the way the brain uses serotonin, an important chemical messenger.

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

1. Esketamine

In March 2019, the FDA approved a new nasal spray for depression, 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 works with an oral antidepressant in order to combat depression that has not responded to standard medications. In one study 70% of patients suffering from treatment resistant depression who received this medication were able to respond well, which is a significantly greater response rate than using an oral antidepressant.

Esketamine is different from standard antidepressants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters that transmit messages between brain cells. The results aren't immediate. Patients usually feel better after a few days however, the effects last for a longer time than SSRIs or SNRIs, which can take anywhere from weeks to months to show results.

Researchers believe that esketamine helps alleviate depression symptoms by strengthening the connections between brain cells. In animal studies, esketamine reversed these connections that are damaged by chronic stress and depression. It also appears to promote the development of neurons that could help reduce suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Esketamine is distinct from other antidepressants due to the fact that it is administered via nasal spray. This allows it to enter your bloodstream more quickly than oral or pill medication. The drug has been proven by studies to decrease extreme depression treatment symptoms within a couple of hours. In certain instances the effects may be instantaneous.

A recent study that followed patients for 16 weeks found that not all who began treatment with esketamine had reached remission. This is a bit disappointing, but not unexpected, according to Dr. Amit Anand, an expert on ketamine who was not part of the study.

For now, esketamine is only available through the clinical trial program or private practices. It isn't considered a first-line treatment option for depression, and is usually prescribed only when SSRIs or SNRIs haven't been effective for a patient suffering from treatment-resistant depression. The doctor can determine whether the condition is not responding to treatment and then discuss whether esketamine could be beneficial.

2. TMS

TMS employs magnetic fields in order to stimulate brain nerve cells. It is non-invasive and does not require anesthesia or surgery. It has been proven to help people with depression who have not been able to respond to medication or psychotherapy. It can also be used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and tinnitus.

For depression, TMS therapy is typically administered as a series of daily treatments spread over six weeks. The magnetic pulses can feel like pinpricks on the scalp. It could take some time to become accustomed to. After an appointment, patients can return to work or go home. Based on the type of stimulation used, each TMS session is between 3.5 and 20 minutes.

Researchers believe that rTMS can alter the way that neurons communicate. This process is referred to as neuroplasticity. It allows the brain to form new connections and alter the way it functions.

At present, TMS is FDA-cleared to treat depression when other therapies, including talk therapy and medication, haven't worked. It has also been proven to aid those suffering from tinnitus, OCD and pain. Scientists are currently examining whether it can be used to treat anxiety and Parkinson's disease.

TMS has been proven to reduce depression and alcohol treatment in a number studies, however not all who receives it benefit. It is essential to have a thorough psychiatric and medical evaluation before trying this treatment. TMS is not a good option when you have a history of or a history of certain medications.

If you have been struggling with depression and aren't experiencing the benefits of your current treatment plan, a chat with your psychiatrist might be helpful. You could be a good candidate to try TMS or other forms of neurostimulation but you need to try several antidepressants before insurance coverage can cover the cost. If you're looking to learn more about these life-changing treatments, call us today to schedule a consultation. Our specialists can guide you through the process of determining if TMS is the best option for you.

3. Deep brain stimulation

For those suffering from treatment-resistant recurrent depression treatment, a noninvasive therapy that rewires brain circuits can be effective within as little as a week. Researchers have developed new techniques that enable them to deliver high-dose magnetic impulses to the brain in a shorter time and at a frequency that is more suitable for patients.

Stanford neuromodulation therapy (SNT) SNT, which is now available at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' Advanced Psychiatric Therapeutics Clinic, uses MRI imaging to direct electrodes that transmit magnetic treatment for depression pulses to specific brain regions. In a recent study, Mitra & Raichle found that in three quarters of patients suffering from depression the normal neural activity was reversed from the anterior cortex to the anterior isola. SNT returned the flow back to normal within a few days, which coincided perfectly with the end of depression.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), an even more extensive procedure, may produce similar effects in some patients. After several tests to determine the best place for the implant, neurosurgeons can insert one or more wires, referred to as leads, inside the brain. The leads are connected to a nerve stimulator implanted under the collarbone. It looks like a heart pacemaker. The device provides an ongoing electric current through the leads. This alters the brain's natural circuitry, decreasing depression symptoms.

Certain psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavior therapy and inter-personal therapy, can also help with herbal depression treatments symptoms. Psychotherapy can be offered in one-on-one sessions with a mental health professional, or in a group setting. Some therapists also provide the option of telehealth services.

Antidepressants remain the primarystay of depression treatment. In recent years, however, there have been significant improvements in the speed at which they can help alleviate symptoms of depression treatment plan cbt. 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, like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or repeated transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS), use magnetic or electric stimuli to stimulate the brain. These are more complex procedures that require a doctor's supervision. In some instances, they could cause seizures or other serious adverse side effects.

4. Light therapy

Bright light therapy consists of sitting or standing in front of a bright light source. This treatment has been used for a number of years to treat seasonal depression and major depressive disorder (SAD). Research has shown that it can ease symptoms like fatigue and sadness by controlling the circadian rhythms and enhancing mood. It is also beneficial for those suffering with depression that is not a continuous one.

Light therapy works by mimicking sunlight, which is a crucial component of the biological clock known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is linked to mood, and light therapy may alter circadian rhythm patterns that can cause depression. Light can also reduce Melatonin levels and help restore the function of neurotransmitters.

Some doctors employ light therapy to treat winter blues. This is a milder type of depression that is similar to SAD, but only has fewer people affected and occurs during the seasons that have the least amount of daylight. To achieve the best results, they suggest that you lie in the box for 30 minutes every morning while awake. Unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to begin working and can cause adverse effects like weight gain or nausea, light therapy can produce results within one week. It is also safe for pregnant women as well as older adults.

However, some researchers advise that one should not experiment with light therapy without the guidance of psychiatrists or a mental health professional, because it could cause a manic episode in those with bipolar disorder. It may also make some sufferers feel tired during the first week of treatment as it could alter their sleep-wake patterns.

PCPs should be aware of new treatments that have been approved by the FDA however, they shouldn't be ignoring tried-and-true approaches like antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy. "The pursuit of newer and better is exciting, but we should continue to prioritize the best-established treatments," Dr. Hellerstein says to Healio. He suggests that PCPs should concentrate on teaching their patients about the benefits of new options and helping them stick to their treatment strategies. That can include providing them with transportation to their doctor's office or setting reminders for them to take medication and attend therapy sessions.