Latest Depression Treatments

The good news is that if your depression doesn't improve after psychotherapy and antidepressants, new fast-acting drugs are promising for treating depression resistant to treatment.

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

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you to change negative thoughts and behaviours like hopelessness. The NHS offers 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 derived the anesthetic, the ketamine. It has been proven to be effective in severe depression. The nasal spray works alongside an oral antidepressant to combat depression that has not 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 taking an oral antidepressant.

Esketamine differs from standard antidepressants. It raises levels of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They transmit messages between brain cells. The results aren't immediate. Patients typically feel better within a few days, but the effects last longer than SSRIs and SNRIs.

Researchers believe that esketamine helps alleviate depression symptoms by strengthening the connections between brain cells. In animal studies, esketamine reversed the breakdown of these connections that could be found during depression treatment without medication and stress. It also appears to stimulate the growth of neurons that can help reduce suicidal thoughts and thoughts.

Esketamine is distinct from other antidepressants due to the fact that it is delivered by nasal spray. This allows it to reach your bloodstream much faster than pill or oral medication. It has been demonstrated by studies to reduce depression symptoms within a few hours. In some cases the effects can be immediate.

However the results of a recent study that followed patients for 16 weeks showed that not all patients who began treatment with esketamine remained in the remission phase. This is a bit disappointing, but not unexpected, according Dr. Amit Anand, an expert on ketamine but not involved in the study.

Esketamine is currently only available in private practice or clinical trials. Esketamine is not a first-line treatment for depression. It is prescribed when SSRIs and SNRIs do not help a patient suffering from treatment-resistant depression. The doctor will determine if the condition is not responding to treatment resistant bipolar depression and then decide whether esketamine may be beneficial.

2. TMS

TMS employs magnetic fields to stimulate brain nerve cells. It is noninvasive and does not require surgery or anesthesia. It has been shown medicines to treat depression aid people suffering from depression who haven't responded to medications or psychotherapy. It has also been used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and tinnitus (ringing in the ear).

TMS treatment for depression is typically delivered in a series of 36 daily treatments spread out over six weeks. The magnetic pulses feel similar to pinpricks placed on the scalp and could require some time to get used to. After a treatment, patients can return to work or at home. Each TMS session lasts between 3.5 minutes and 20 minutes, depending on the pattern of stimulation.

Researchers believe that rTMS can alter the way neurons communicate. This process, also known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to form new connections and to modify its function.

TMS is FDA approved for treating depression in cases when other treatments like medication and talk therapy have not 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 and anxiety.

While a variety of studies have found that TMS can improve depression however, not everyone who receives the treatment will experience a positive effect. Before beginning this treatment, it is essential to undergo a thorough mental and medical evaluation. TMS is not a good option if you have a history or a history of certain medications.

Talking to your doctor could be beneficial if you're experiencing depression but aren't experiencing any positive results from the treatment you are currently receiving. You may be a suitable candidate to try TMS or other forms of neurostimulation but you need to try several antidepressants before insurance coverage will cover the cost. If you are looking to learn more about these life-changing treatments, contact us today for a consultation. Our experts will guide you in the decision of whether TMS treatment is right for you.

3. Deep stimulation of the brain

A non-invasive therapy that rewires the brain circuitry could be efficient in just one week for those suffering from treatment resistant depression. Researchers have developed new techniques that permit them to deliver high-dose magnetic pulses to the brain in a shorter period of time and on a schedule that is more manageable 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 recent research, Mitra & Raichle found that in three quarters of depression patients that the normal neural activity was disrupted, shifting from the anterior cortex to the anterior isola. SNT returned that flow to normal within a few days, which coincided perfectly with the easing of depression.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a more invasive procedure, can cause similar effects in some patients. After several tests to determine the most appropriate placement, neurosurgeons implant one or more wires, called leads, in the brain. The leads are connected to the neurostimulator. It is placed under the collarbone and appears like a pacemaker. The device delivers continuous electrical current to the leads which alters the brain's circuitry and decreases symptoms of depression.

Certain psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and inter-personal therapy, can also help with depression treatment facility symptoms. Psychotherapy can be conducted in a group setting or in one-on-one sessions with a mental healthcare professional. Therapists may also offer Telehealth services.

Antidepressants remain a cornerstone of treatment for depression. However, in recent times, there have been remarkable improvements in how quickly these medications can work to reduce 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 therapy (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) utilize magnetic or electric stimuli to stimulate the brain. These are more complicated procedures that require a doctor's supervision. In some instances they can trigger 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 used 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 regulating the circadian rhythms and enhancing mood. It can also help those who suffer with depression that is not a continuous one.

Light therapy mimics sunlight which is an essential component of a biological clock called suprachiasmatic (SCN). The SCN is linked to mood, and lighttherapy can alter circadian rhythm patterns that can trigger depression. Light therapy can also lower Melatonin levels and help restore the function of neurotransmitters.

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 affects fewer people and only occurs in the months when there is less daylight. They suggest sitting in front of a light therapy device each morning for 30 minutes while awake to gain the most benefits. In contrast to antidepressants that can take weeks to begin working and can cause adverse effects such as weight gain or nausea, light therapy can produce results in a matter of one week. It is also safe for pregnant women as well as older adults.

However, some research experts warn that a person should never try light therapy without consulting of psychiatrists or a mental health professional, as it could trigger a manic episode in bipolar disorder sufferers. It could also make sufferers feel tired during the first week of treatment due to the fact that it could alter their sleep-wake patterns.

PCPs must be aware of new treatments that have been approved by FDA. However they shouldn't be ignoring tried-and-true methods like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy. Dr. Hellerstein told Healio that while the search for better and newer treatments is exciting, we should be focusing on the most proven therapies. He says PCPs should focus on informing their patients about the advantages of new options and helping patients adhere to their treatment plans. This could include arranging transportation to the doctor's office or establishing reminders to patients to take their medication and attend therapy sessions.