The Most Powerful Sources Of Inspiration Of Latest Depression Treatments
Latest Depression Treatments
The positive side is that if your depression does not improve with psychotherapy and antidepressants, the latest fast-acting medications offer promise in treating depression resistant to treatment.
SSRIs are the most common and well-known antidepressants. These antidepressants work by altering the way the brain uses serotonin.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you to change negative thoughts and behavior such as despair. The NHS offers 8 to 16 sessions.
1. Esketamine
The FDA approved a new treatment for depression in March of 2019 nasal spray known as esketamine (brand name Spravato). It is made from the anesthetic ketamine that has been proven to help in severe cases of depression. The nasal spray is utilized in conjunction with an oral antidepressant in cases of depression that hasn't responded to standard medication. In one study 70 percent of those with depression that was resistant to treatment given the drug responded well which was a more rapid response rate than the use of an oral antidepressant.
Esketamine acts differently than conventional antidepressants. It raises the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that transmit messages between brain cells. The results don't come immediately. Patients typically feel a little better after a couple of days however, the effects last for a longer time than with SSRIs or SNRIs, which may take 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 which are weakened through depression and chronic stress. It also appears to boost the development of neurons that help to reduce suicidal ideas and feelings.
Another reason esketamine is different from other antidepressants is that it is delivered via nasal sprays that allows it to enter the bloodstream much faster than a pill or oral medication would. The drug has been found to reduce depression symptoms within hours, and in certain individuals, the effects are almost instantaneous.
A recent study that followed patients for 16-weeks found that not all who began treatment with esketamine were in Remission. This is a bit disappointing, but not unexpected, according to Dr. Amit Anand, an expert on ketamine, who was not involved in the study.
Esketamine is available only in clinical trials or in private practice. It is not considered to be a first-line treatment for depression and is usually prescribed only when SSRIs or SNRIs have not been effective for a patient suffering from treatment-resistant depression. The doctor will determine if the condition is resistant to treatment and then decide whether esketamine might be beneficial.
2. TMS
TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate neurons in the brain. It is noninvasive and does not require anesthesia or surgery. It has been shown to help patients suffering from depression who have not been able to respond to medication or psychotherapy. It is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
TMS therapy for depression is usually delivered in a set of 36 daily treatments spread over six weeks. The magnetic pulses feel like a series of pinpricks on the scalp and could require some time to get used to. Patients can return to their work and home immediately following a treatment. Each TMS session can last between 3.5 minutes and 20 minutes, depending on the pattern of stimulation.
Researchers believe that rTMS functions by altering the way that neurons communicate with each other. This process, also known as neuroplasticity allows the brain establish new connections and change its function.
Presently, TMS is FDA-cleared to treat depression when other therapies such as talk therapy and medication, haven't worked. It has also proven to be effective in treating tinnitus and OCD. Researchers are also investigating the possibility of using it to treat Parkinson's disease and anxiety depression treatment.
TMS has been proven to help with depression in numerous studies, but not everyone who receives it benefit. Before beginning this treatment for manic depression, it is essential to undergo an extensive medical and psychiatric evaluation. TMS is not a good option if you have a history or certain medications.
A conversation with your doctor could be beneficial if you're struggling with depression but not experiencing any positive results from your current treatment. You could be a good candidate for a trial of TMS or other forms of neurostimulation but you need to try various antidepressants before insurance coverage covers the cost. If you are interested in knowing more about these life-changing treatments, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our specialists will help you through the process of determining whether TMS is the best drug to treat anxiety and depression option for you.
3. Deep stimulation of the brain
A non-invasive therapy that rewires the brain's circuitry could be effective in just one week for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression. Researchers have come up with new methods that enable them to deliver high-dose magnetic impulses to the brain in a shorter amount of time and at a frequency that is more adaptable for patients.
Stanford neuromodulation therapy (SNT) SNT, which is now offered at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' Advanced Psychiatric Therapeutics Clinic makes use of MRI imaging to guide electrodes that send magnetic pulses to targeted areas of the brain. In a recent study, Mitra and Raichle found that in three-quarters of patients suffering from depression, the normal flow of neural activity from the anterior cingulate cortex to the anterior insula was reversed. SNT restored that flow back to normal within a few days, which coincided perfectly with the easing of depression.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an invasive procedure, may produce similar results in certain patients. Neurosurgeons will perform a series tests to determine the ideal location before implanting one or more leads in the brain. The leads are connected to a neurostimulator, which is placed beneath the collarbone and looks like an electronic pacemaker. The device is able to deliver an ongoing electric current through the leads. This alters the brain's natural ways to treat depression circuitry, reducing depression symptoms.
Certain psychotherapy therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and inter-personal therapy, can also help alleviate depression pharmacological treatment symptoms. Psychotherapy can take place in a group setting or in one-onone sessions with a mental health professional. Some therapists also offer telehealth services.
Antidepressants are still the cornerstone of depression treatment options for depression. In recent times, however there have also been notable advancements in the speed at which they can alleviate depressive symptoms. 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, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or repeated transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) utilize magnetic or electric stimuli to stimulate the brain. These are more involved procedures that require a doctor's supervision. In some cases they can cause seizures and other serious adverse 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 depression disorder through seasonal patterns (SAD). Studies show that bright light therapy can help reduce symptoms such as sadness and fatigue by boosting mood and regulating circadian rhythms. It also aids people who suffer from depression that comes and goes.
Light therapy mimics sunlight which is a key element of a biological clock called suprachiasmatic (SCN). The SCN is associated with mood, and lighttherapy can alter circadian rhythm patterns that can trigger depression. Light therapy can also lower 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 known as winter blues. It's similar to SAD but is less common and only occurs in the months when there is less daylight. They recommend sitting in front of a light therapy box each morning for 30 minutes while awake to get the most benefits. Light therapy can produce results within one week, unlike antidepressants that can take a few weeks to begin working and may trigger negative side effects, such as nausea or weight increase. It is also suitable for pregnant women and older adults.
However, some researchers advise that one should not experiment with light therapy without the advice of a psychiatrist or mental health professional because it can cause a manic episode in people with bipolar disorder. Some people may experience fatigue in the first week because light therapy can alter their sleep-wake cycle.
PCPs must be aware of new treatments that have been approved by the FDA, but they shouldn't be ignoring tried-and-true approaches like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy. "The search for newer and better treatments is exciting, but we should keep focusing on the most effective treatments," Dr. Hellerstein informs Healio. He says PCPs must educate their patients about the advantages of new treatments and help them stick with their treatment plans. This could include providing them with transportation to their doctor's office or setting up reminders to take medications and attend therapy sessions.