Latest Depression Treatments

The good news is that, if your depression does not improve after psychotherapy and antidepressants, new fast-acting drugs show promise for treating depression that is resistant to treatment.

SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most frequently prescribed and well-known antidepressants. They affect the way that the brain utilizes serotonin.

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

1. Esketamine

The FDA approved the new treatment for depression in March 2019 nasal spray known as esketamine (brand name Spravato). It is derived the anesthetic ketamine. This has been shown to be effective in severe depression. The nasal spray is applied in conjunction with an oral antidepressant for depression treatment without medication that isn't responding to standard medications. In one study 70% of patients with treatment resistant depression who received this medication were able to respond well, which is a significantly higher response rate than just taking an oral antidepressant.

Esketamine is different from conventional antidepressants. It increases levels of naturally occurring chemical in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They transmit messages between brain cells. The results are not immediate. Patients usually feel better after a few days, but the effects last for a longer time than with SSRIs or SNRIs, which may take anywhere from weeks to months to begin to show effects.

Researchers believe that esketamine reduces symptoms of depression by strengthening brain cell connections. In animal studies, esketamine reversed the breakdown of these connections that can occur during depression and stress. Additionally, it appears to boost the growth of neurons that can help reduce suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Another reason why esketamine is distinct from other antidepressants is the fact that it is delivered through a nasal spray that allows it to reach the bloodstream much faster than a pill or oral medication could. It has been proven to decrease depression treatment centers symptoms within a matter of hours. In certain people, the effects are almost immediately.

However, the results of a recent study that tracked patients for 16 weeks showed that not everyone who started treatment with esketamine continued to be in Remission. This is disappointing, but not surprising according to Dr. Amit A. Anand an expert in ketamine who was not involved with the study.

At present, esketamine is only available through an experimental clinical trial or private practices. Esketamine is not a first-line option for treating depression. It is prescribed when SSRIs and SNRIs do not work for a patient with treatment-resistant depressive disorder. A doctor for a patient can determine if the condition is refractory to treatment and determine if it is possible to use esketamine for treatment.

2. TMS

TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate neurons in the brain. It is noninvasive, doesn't require anesthesia or surgery, and has been shown to improve depression for people who are not responding to medication or psychotherapy. It has also been used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders and tinnitus (ringing in the ear).

For depression, TMS therapy is typically given as a series of daily treatments over six weeks. The magnetic pulses feel similar to pinpricks placed on the scalp, and may take a bit of getting used to. After an appointment, patients can return to work or at home. Each TMS session lasts between 3.5 minutes and 20 minutes, based on the pattern of stimulation.

Researchers believe that rTMS works by changing the way neurons communicate with each other. This process, also known as neuroplasticity allows the brain create new connections and modify its function.

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

Although a number of different studies have shown that TMS can help with depression, not everyone who receives the treatment experiences a benefit. It is essential to have a thorough psychiatric and medical evaluation prior to beginning this treatment. If you have any history of seizures or are taking certain medications, TMS might not be the best way to treat depression option for you.

If you have been suffering from depression but aren't seeing the benefits of your current treatment plan, having a discussion with your psychiatrist might be beneficial. You may be a candidate for a trial of TMS or other forms of neurostimulation, but you need to try several antidepressants first before insurance coverage can cover the cost. If you are interested in knowing more about these life-changing treatments, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our specialists will guide you through the process of deciding whether TMS is the right option for you.

3. Deep stimulation of the brain

A noninvasive therapy that resets the brain's circuitry may be effective in as little as one week for people with treatment-resistant depression. Researchers have developed new techniques that enable them to deliver high-dose magnetic pulses to the brain in a shorter time and at a frequency that is more suitable 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 utilizes MRI images to guide electrodes to deliver magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain. In a study conducted recently, Mitra & Raichle found in three quarters of depression patients, the normal flow of neural activity was disrupted, shifting from the anterior cortex to the anterior cortex. SNT returned that flow to normal within a couple of days, coinciding perfectly with the lifting of their depression.

A more invasive procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) may produce similar results in certain patients. After several tests to determine the optimal location, neurosurgeons insert one or more wires, referred to as leads, into the brain. The leads are connected with an electrical stimulation device, which is placed beneath the collarbone and looks like a pacemaker. The device delivers an ongoing electric current through the leads. This alters the brain’s natural circuitry, reducing depression symptoms.

Certain psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavior therapy and inter-personal therapy, may also relieve depression treatment no medication symptoms. Psychotherapy can be conducted in an environment of group or one-onone sessions with a mental health professional. Some psychotherapists provide telehealth.

Antidepressants are still the cornerstone of depression treatment. In recent times, however there have been significant improvements in the speed at which 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, such as electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) or repeated transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) utilize electric or magnetic stimuli to stimulate the brain. These are more complicated procedures that require under the supervision of a doctor. In some instances, they could cause seizures or other serious side effects.

4. Light therapy

Bright light Therapy Treatment For Depression, which entails working or sitting in front of a bright artificial light source, has been proven for a long time to help with major depressive disorder and seasonal patterns (SAD). Research has shown that bright light therapy can reduce symptoms like fatigue and sadness by improving mood and controlling circadian rhythms. It also aids people who suffer from depression that comes and goes.

Light therapy works by mimicking sunlight, which is a major element of the biological clock referred to as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is associated with mood, and lighttherapy can alter the patterns of circadian rhythms that can cause depression. In addition, light can reduce melatonin levels and restore the neurotransmitters' function.

Some doctors are also using light therapy to treat a less severe kind of depression known as winter blues, which is similar to SAD but is less common and only happens in the months when there is the least amount of daylight. To get the most effective results, they suggest you sit in the box for 30 minutes every morning while awake. Light therapy can produce results within a week, unlike antidepressants, which can take a few weeks to begin working and may trigger side effects such as nausea or weight increase. It is also safe for pregnant women and older adults.

However, some researchers warn that one should never experiment with light therapy without consulting of a psychiatrist or mental health professional, as it could trigger a manic episode in people 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 the new treatments that have been approved by the FDA, but they shouldn't be ignoring tried-and-true approaches like antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy. "The search for newer and better is exciting, but we must continue to focus on the most well-established therapies," Dr. Hellerstein says to Healio. He says PCPs must educate their patients on the benefits of new treatments as well as assist them in sticking to their treatment plans. This could include providing them with transportation to their doctor's appointment or setting reminders to take medication and attend therapy sessions.