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How Latest Depression Treatments Became The Hottest Trend In 2024
Latest Depression Treatments
If your depression doesn't get better through psychotherapy and antidepressants new medications that respond quickly may be able to treat treatment-resistant depression.
SSRIs are the most popular and well-known antidepressants. They affect the way the brain uses serotonin.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you to change negative thoughts and behavior such as despair. It's available on the NHS for 8 to 16 sessions.
1. Esketamine
The FDA approved a new treatment for depression in March 2019 nasal spray known as esketamine (brand name Spravato). It is made from the anesthetic ketamine which has been proven to aid in the treatment of severe cases of depression. The nasal spray can be used with an oral antidepressant to treat depression that hasn't responded to standard medications. In one study, 70% of people with treatment resistant depression who received this medication responded well - a much greater response rate than using an oral antidepressant.
Esketamine is different from standard antidepressants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters that transmit messages between brain cells. The results aren't immediate. Patients generally feel better after a few days however, the effects last longer than with SSRIs or SNRIs, which can take weeks or even months to show results.
Researchers believe that esketamine reduces symptoms of depression by enhancing brain cell connections. In animal studies, esketamine reversed the breakdown of these connections that can be seen in depression and chronic stress. Additionally, it appears to boost the growth of neurons that can help reduce suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Another reason esketamine is different from other antidepressants is that it is administered via nasal sprays, which allows it to enter the bloodstream faster than pills or oral medication could. It has been proven to decrease depression symptoms within a matter of hours, and in some individuals the effects are immediately.
However, the results of a recent study that tracked patients for 16 weeks revealed that not all patients who began treatment with esketamine was in remission. This is a bit disappointing, but not surprising according to Dr. Amit A. Anand, a ketamine expert who was not involved in the study.
Esketamine is currently only available through the clinical trial program or private practices. It is not considered a first-line treatment option for depression and is typically prescribed when SSRIs or SNRIs have not worked for a person with treatment-resistant depression. Doctors can determine if the condition is resistant to treatment and then discuss whether esketamine could be beneficial.
2. TMS
TMS utilizes magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It is noninvasive, does not require anesthesia or surgery, and has been proven to reduce depression in those who don't respond to medication or psychotherapy. It has also been used to treat the disorder of obsessive compulsiveness and tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
TMS treatment for depression is typically delivered in a set of 36 daily treatments spread out over six weeks. The magnetic pulses feel like a series of pinpricks on the scalp and could require some time to get used to. After a treatment, patients can return to work or home. Based on the stimulation pattern used the session TMS session lasts between 3.5 and 20 minutes.
Researchers believe that rTMS works by altering the way neurons communicate with each other. This process, also known as neuroplasticity, enables the brain to establish new connections and alter its functions.
Presently, TMS is FDA-cleared to help with depression when other treatments like talk therapy or medications, haven't succeeded. It has also proven to be effective in treating tinnitus as well as OCD. Researchers are also investigating the possibility of using it to treat Parkinson's disease and anxiety.
TMS has been shown to help with depression in several studies, however not all who receives it benefit. It is crucial to undergo a thorough psychiatric as well as medical examination prior to attempting this kind of treatment. If you have any history of seizures or are taking certain medications, TMS might not be suitable for you.
If you've been suffering from depression but aren't experiencing the benefits of your current treatment plan, having a discussion with your psychiatrist could be helpful. You could be eligible to participate in the TMS trial or other forms of neurostimulation. However, you must first try several antidepressants before your insurance company will cover the cost. Contact us today to schedule an appointment If you're interested in knowing more. Our specialists will guide you through the process of deciding if TMS is the best option for you.
3. Deep brain stimulation
A noninvasive therapy that resets the brain's circuitry could be effective in as little as one week for patients suffering from treatment resistant depression. Researchers have come up with new techniques that deliver high-dose magnetic waves to the brain quicker and at a time that is more manageable for the 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 and Raichle discovered that in three-quarters of patients who suffer from depression, the typical flow of neural activity from the anterior cingulate cortex to the posterior insula was reversed. With SNT this flow was restored to normal within a week, and coincided with the lifting of their depression.
A more invasive technique called deep brain stimulation (DBS) can produce similar results for some patients. Neurosurgeons perform a series of tests to determine the most appropriate place to implant one or more leads inside the brain. The leads are connected to a nerve stimulator implanted under the collarbone, which looks like a heart pacemaker. The device delivers an uninterrupted electric current through the leads. This alters the brain’s natural circuitry, decreasing depression symptoms.
Some psychotherapy treatments may also help relieve depression symptoms, including cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders and interpersonal therapy. Psychotherapy can be delivered in one-on-one sessions with an expert in mental health or in a group setting. cognitive behavioral therapy for depression offer Telehealth services.
Antidepressants are the mainstay of depression treatment. In recent years, however, there have been significant improvements in the speed at which they can help alleviate 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 repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) utilize magnetic or electric stimuli to stimulate the brain. These are more complicated procedures that must be done under the supervision of a doctor. In some cases they can cause seizures as well as other serious adverse side effects.
4. Light therapy
Bright light therapy, which entails sitting or working in front of an artificial light source, has been used for years to treat major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns (SAD). Studies have shown that it can alleviate symptoms like sadness and fatigue by regulating the circadian rhythms and boosting mood. It also aids people who suffer from depression that comes and goes.
Light therapy mimics sunlight, which is a major component of the biological clock called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is linked to mood, and lighttherapy can alter the patterns of circadian rhythms that can contribute to depression. Additionally, light therapy can lower melatonin levels, and restore the functioning of neurotransmitters.
Some doctors use light therapy to combat winter blues. This is a milder version of depression that is similar to SAD but is more common and is most prevalent in the seasons when there is the least amount of daylight. They recommend sitting in the light therapy box each morning for 30 minutes while awake to gain the most benefit. Unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to kick in and often cause side effects like nausea or weight gain light therapy can provide results within a week. It is also safe for pregnant women and older adults.
Researchers warn against using light therapy without the supervision of an expert in mental health or psychiatrist, as it may trigger manic episodes for people who suffer from bipolar disorders. It may also make some people feel tired during the first week of treatment as it could alter their sleep-wake patterns.
PCPs should be aware of new treatments that have been approved by the FDA However, they shouldn't overlook tried-and-true techniques like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy. "The search for more effective and innovative treatments is exciting, but we should continue to focus on the most well-established treatments," Dr. Hellerstein tells Healio. He says that PCPs should focus on educating their patients about the benefits of the latest treatments and help patients adhere to their treatment plans. This could include providing them with transportation to the doctor's office or setting reminders to take medications and attend therapy sessions.