Latest Depression Treatments
If your depression doesn't improve with antidepressants and psychotherapy new medications that respond quickly could be able to treat depression resistant to treatment.
SSRIs are the most popular and well-known antidepressants. These work by changing the way the brain uses serotonin as a chemical messenger.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy, helps you to change negative thoughts and behaviors, such as hopelessness. It is available on the NHS for 8 to 16 sessions.
1. Esketamine
In March 2019, the FDA approved a brand new nasal spray for depression, called esketamine. (Brand name Spravato). It is derived from the anesthetic ketamine that has been proven to be effective in cases of severe of depression. The nasal spray works with an oral antidepressant in order to treat depression that hasn't responded to standard medication. In one study, 70% of people with treatment resistant depression who received this medication responded well - a much higher response rate than just using an oral antidepressant.
Esketamine differs from standard antidepressants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that transmit messages between brain cells. The results aren't immediate. Patients generally feel better after a couple of days, but the effects last much longer than with SSRIs or SNRIs, which can take weeks to months to begin to show effects.
Researchers believe that esketamine improves depression symptoms by strengthening connections between brain cells. In animal studies, esketamine reversed these connections that can be broken down due to depression and stress. It also appears to stimulate the development of neurons which can reduce suicidal feelings and thoughts.
Another reason why esketamine is distinct from other antidepressants is that it is delivered via an nasal spray that allows it to enter the bloodstream faster than pills or oral medication could. The drug has been shown to reduce depression symptoms within a matter of hours, and in some people, the effects are almost immediate.
A recent study that tracked patients for 16 weeks revealed that not all patients who started treatment with esketamine had reached the remission phase. This is a bit disappointing, but not unexpected, according to Dr. Amit Anand, an expert on ketamine but not involved in the study.
For now, esketamine is only available through a clinical trial program or private practice. It isn't considered a first-line treatment option for depression and is usually prescribed only when SSRIs or SNRIs have not been effective for a patient suffering from treatment-resistant depression. A patient's physician can determine if their condition is refractory to treatment and discuss whether esketamine could be beneficial.
2. TMS
TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It is noninvasive, doesn't require surgery or anesthesia and has been proven to reduce depression in people who are not responding to psychotherapy or medication. It's also been used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
TMS treatment for depression is usually given in a set of 36 daily treatments spread out over six weeks. The magnetic pulses may feel like pinpricks on the scalp. It may take some time to become accustomed to. After an appointment, patients can return to work or go home. Each TMS session lasts between 3.5 minutes and 20 minutes, based on the stimulation pattern.
Researchers believe that rTMS can alter the ways that neurons communicate. This process, known as neuroplasticity allows the brain form new connections and to alter its functions.
TMS is FDA approved for treating depression in cases where other therapies such as talk therapy and medication have failed. It has also been proven to be effective in treating tinnitus as well as OCD. Researchers are examining whether it could also be used to treat Parkinson's disease.
While a variety of studies have shown that TMS can help with depression however, not everyone who receives the treatment benefits. It is important that you have a thorough psychiatric and medical evaluation before trying this kind of treatment. If you have any history of seizures or are taking certain medications, TMS might not be the best option for you.
If you've been suffering from depression but aren't getting the benefits from your current treatment plan, having a discussion with your psychiatrist may be helpful. You could be eligible to participate in the TMS trial or other types of neurostimulation. But, you must first test several antidepressants before your insurance company will cover the cost. If you are interested in learning more about these life-changing treatments, contact us now for a free consultation. Our specialists will guide you in determining if TMS treatment is the right one for you.
3. Deep brain stimulation
For people with treatment-resistant depression A non-invasive treatment that rewires the brain's circuits could be effective in just a week. Researchers have come up with new methods that allow them to deliver high-dose magnetic pulses to the brain in a shorter period of time and at a frequency that is more adaptable for patients.
Stanford neuromodulation therapy, which is currently available in the Advanced Psychiatric Therapeutics Clinic at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, uses MRI images to guide electrodes to send magnetic impulses to specific brain regions. In a study conducted recently, Mitra & Raichle found in three quarters of patients suffering from depression that the normal neural activity was disrupted, shifting from the anterior cortex to the anterior cortex. With SNT the flow of neural activity returned to normal within a week, which coincided with the lifting of their depression.
A more in-depth procedure known as deep brain stimulation (DBS) can produce similar results in some patients. Neurosurgeons perform a series of tests to determine the most appropriate place to implant one or more leads in the brain. The leads are connected with the neurostimulator. It is implanted beneath the collarbone. It appears like an electronic pacemaker. The device supplies continuous electrical current to the leads, which alters the brain's circuitry and reduces depression symptoms.
Some psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavior therapy and inter-personal therapy can also help alleviate depression symptoms. Psychotherapy can be offered in one-on-one sessions with an expert in mental health, or in a group setting. depression treatment advancements Iam Psychiatry provide 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 relieve 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, like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) make use of magnetic or electric stimuli to stimulate the brain. These are more complex procedures that must be done under the supervision of a doctor. In some cases they can cause 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 utilized for many years to treat seasonal depression as well as major depressive disorder (SAD). Research has shown that it can ease symptoms like fatigue and sadness by controlling circadian rhythm patterns and enhancing mood. It is also beneficial for those suffering from depression that is intermittent.
Light therapy mimics sunlight, which is a key component of a biological clock known as suprachiasmatic (SCN). The SCN is associated with mood and light therapy has the ability to rewire misaligned circadian rhythm patterns that can contribute to depression. Light therapy can also decrease Melatonin levels and help restore the function of neurotransmitters.
Some doctors are also using light therapy to treat a less severe form of depression called winter blues. It's similar to SAD but affects fewer people and only occurs in the months with the least daylight. To get the most effective results, they suggest you lie in front of the light therapy box for 30 minutes every morning while you are awake. Light therapy results are seen in one week, unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to kick in and may trigger side effects such as nausea or weight increase. It is also safe for pregnant women as well as older adults.
However, some research experts warn that one should not attempt light therapy without the guidance of psychiatrists or a mental health professional because it could cause a manic episode for those with bipolar disorder. It could also make people feel tired during the first week of treatment because it can alter their sleep and wake patterns.
PCPs must be aware of any new treatments that have been approved by FDA. However, they shouldn't ignore tried-and-true methods like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy. "The search for newer and better is exciting, but we should keep focusing on the most effective treatments," Dr. Hellerstein informs Healio. He suggests PCPs must inform their patients about the benefits of new treatments as well as help them stick with their treatment plans. This could include arranging transportation to the doctor's appointment, or setting up reminders to patients to take their medications and attend therapy sessions.