Latest Depression Treatments

If your depression doesn't get better through psychotherapy and antidepressants new medications that work quickly could be able to treat depression 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 processes serotonin.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you change negative thoughts and behaviors like hopelessness. The NHS offers 8 to 16 sessions.

1. Esketamine

The FDA approved the new treatment for depression in March of 2019 nasal spray known as esketamine (brand name Spravato). It is derived from the anesthetic ketamine which has been proven to aid in the treatment of severe cases of depression. The nasal spray is used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant to treat Depression And Anxiety Treatment Near Me that has not responded to standard medications. In one study, 70 percent of people with treatment-resistant depression who were treated with the drug treatment for depression had a positive response with a much greater response rate than only an oral antidepressant.

Esketamine is different from traditional antidepressants. It increases levels of naturally occurring chemical in the brain, called neurotransmitters. These chemicals transmit messages between brain cells. The effects aren't immediate. Patients generally feel better after a couple of days, but the effects last longer than SSRIs and SNRIs.

Researchers believe that esketamine helps alleviate depression symptoms by enhancing the connections between brain cells. In animal studies, esketamine reversed the breakdown of these connections that can be seen during depression and stress. In addition, it seems to boost the development of neurons that could aid in reducing suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Another reason why esketamine is distinct from other antidepressants is the fact that it is delivered via nasal sprays which allows it to get into the bloodstream more quickly than a pill or oral medication could. It has been proven to decrease depression symptoms within a matter of hours. In certain individuals the effects are instantaneous.

However, the results of a study that tracked patients for 16 weeks revealed that not everyone who started treatment with esketamine continued to be in the remission phase. This is disappointing, but it's not surprising according to Dr. Amit A. Anand, a ketamine expert who was not involved with the study.

Esketamine is currently only available in clinical trials or in private practice. 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 depression. The doctor can determine whether the condition is not responding to treatment and then discuss whether esketamine might be beneficial.

2. TMS

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

TMS treatment for depression is usually given in a series 36 daily treatments spread over six weeks. The magnetic pulses may feel like pinpricks in the scalp. It can take time to become used to. Patients can return to workplace and go home straight following a treatment. Based on the type of stimulation used, each TMS session lasts between 3.5 and 20 minutes.

Researchers believe that rTMS alters the ways that neurons communicate. This process is referred to as neuroplasticity and allows the brain to form new connections and change the way it operates.

At present, TMS is FDA-cleared to treat depression when other treatments, including talk therapy and medications, haven't succeeded. It has also been shown to help people with tinnitus, OCD and pain. Scientists are currently examining whether it could also be used to treat anxiety and Parkinson's disease.

TMS has been proven to help with depression in numerous studies, but not everyone who receives it benefit. Before you embark on this treatment, it is essential to undergo a thorough medical and psychiatric examination. TMS is not for you when you have a history of or a history of certain medications.

A conversation with your doctor can be beneficial if struggling with depression but not experiencing any positive results from your current treatment. You may be a candidate for a trial of TMS or other forms of neurostimulation but you should try several antidepressants before insurance coverage will cover the cost. If you're interested in knowing more about these life-changing treatments, contact us today for a consultation. Our specialists can assist you in the process of determining if TMS is the best option for you.

3. Deep stimulation of the brain

For people with treatment-resistant depression, a non-invasive treatment that rewires the brain's circuits could be effective in less than one week. Researchers have devised new methods that enable them to deliver high-dose electromagnetic pulses to the brain in a shorter time and at a frequency that is more adaptable for patients.

Stanford neuromodulation therapy (SNT) SNT, that is now available at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' Advanced Psychiatric Therapeutics Clinic makes use of MRI imaging to guide electrodes which send magnetic pulses to the targeted areas of the brain. In a recent study, Mitra & Raichle found that in three quarters (or more) of patients with depression the normal flow of neural activity was reversed from the anterior cortex to the anterior cortex. With SNT the flow of neural activity returned to normal within a week, and coincided with the lifting of their depression.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a more invasive procedure, can produce similar effects in some patients. Neurosurgeons will perform a series tests to determine the most appropriate placement before implanting one or more leads inside the brain. The leads are connected to a nerve stimulator implanted under the collarbone, which appears like a heart pacemaker. The device delivers an ongoing electric current through the leads. This alters the brain's natural treatment for anxiety and depression circuitry, which reduces depression symptoms.

Some psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavior therapy and inter-personal therapy, can also help alleviate depression symptoms. Psychotherapy can take place in a group setting or in one-onone sessions with a mental healthcare professional. Some therapists also offer telehealth services.

Antidepressants are the mainstay of depression treatment. In recent years, however, there have also been notable improvements in how quickly 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 treatments, such as electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) make use of magnetic or electric stimuli to stimulate the brain. These are more complex procedures that require the supervision of a doctor. In some cases they may cause seizures or other serious 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 a number of years to treat seasonal depression and major depressive disorder (SAD). Studies show that bright light therapy can help reduce symptoms like fatigue and sadness by boosting mood and regulating the circadian rhythms. It also aids people who suffer from depression that occurs and disappears.

Light therapy mimics sunlight which is an essential component of a biological clock called suprachiasmatic (SCN). The SCN is associated with mood, and light therapy can alter the patterns of circadian rhythms that can trigger situational depression treatment. In addition, light can reduce melatonin levels and restore the functioning of neurotransmitters.

Some doctors utilize light therapy to treat winter blues. This is a milder version of depression that is similar to SAD but has fewer people affected and occurs during the seasons that have the least amount light. To get the most effective results, they recommend that you sit in the box for 30 minutes each morning while awake. Contrary to antidepressants, which may take weeks to begin working and can often cause side effects like nausea or weight gain, light therapy can produce results within one week. It's also safe during pregnancy and in older adults.

Researchers caution against using light therapy without the supervision of a mental health professional or psychiatrist, since it could trigger manic episodes for people with bipolar disorders. It can also make sufferers feel tired during the first week of treatment as it can alter their sleep and wake patterns.

PCPs need to be aware of the latest treatments that have been approved by the FDA. However they shouldn't be ignoring the tried-and-true techniques like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy. "The quest for newer and better treatments is exciting, but we should continue to focus on the most well-established therapies," Dr. Hellerstein tells Healio. He suggests PCPs should educate their patients on the benefits of new treatments as well as assist them in sticking to their treatment plans. This can include arranging for transportation to the doctor's office or setting reminders for them to take their medication and attend therapy sessions.