Latest Depression treatments for depression
The good news is that, if your depression doesn’t improve after psychotherapy and antidepressants, the latest fast-acting medications are promising for treating depression resistant to treatment.
SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most commonly prescribed and well-known antidepressants. They work by altering how the brain processes serotonin, the chemical messenger.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists you in changing negative thoughts and behaviours such as despair. It’s available through the NHS for 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 created from the anesthetic drug ketamine, which has been shown to aid in the treatment of severe cases of 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 suffering from treatment resistant depression who were given this drug did well – a greater response rate than using an oral antidepressant.
Esketamine is different from conventional antidepressants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters that transmit messages between brain cells. The results are not immediate. Patients generally feel better within a few days, but the effects last longer than SSRIs and SNRIs.
Researchers believe that esketamine reduces symptoms of depression by strengthening connections between brain cells. In animal studies, esketamine reversed these connections which are weakened through depression treatment for elderly and chronic stress. It also appears to encourage the development of neurons which can reduce suicidal feelings and thoughts.
Another reason esketamine stands out from other antidepressants is that it is administered via nasal sprays, which allows it to reach the bloodstream more quickly than a pill or oral medication could. The drug has been shown to reduce residential depression treatment uk (recent pattern-wiki.win blog post) symptoms within a matter of hours, and in certain people the effects are immediately.
A recent study that followed patients for 16 weeks revealed that not all patients who began treatment with esketamine were in the remission phase. This is a bit disappointing, but not surprising according to Dr. Amit A. Anand, a ketamine expert who was not part of 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 haven’t worked for a person with treatment-resistant depression. The doctor can determine whether the condition is resistant to treatment and then discuss whether esketamine could be beneficial.
2. TMS
TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate neurons in the brain. It is non-invasive and does not require anesthesia or surgery. It has been shown to aid people suffering from depression who have not been able to respond to medication or psychotherapy. It can also be used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and tinnitus.
For depression, TMS therapy is typically administered as a series of daily sessions spread over six weeks. The magnetic pulses feel similar to pinpricks that are placed on the scalp, and may require some time to get used to. After the treatment, patients are able to return to work or go home. Based on the stimulation pattern used and the stimulation pattern used, each TMS session can last between 3.5 and 20 minutes.
Scientists believe that rTMS changes the ways that neurons communicate. This process, also known as neuroplasticity allows the brain form new connections and to alter its functions.
Presently, TMS is FDA-cleared to help with depression when other treatments, including talk therapy and medications, haven’t succeeded. It has also been proven be effective in treating tinnitus and OCD. And scientists are exploring whether it can be used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Although a number of different studies have found that TMS can help with depression however, not everyone who receives the treatment will experience a positive effect. Before you embark on this treatment, it’s important to undergo an extensive medical and psychiatric evaluation. TMS is not a good option when you have a history of or are taking certain medications.
If you have been struggling with depression and are not getting the benefits from your current treatment plan, having a discussion with your psychiatrist might be helpful. You could be eligible for an TMS trial or other types of neurostimulation. However, you need to first try several antidepressants before your insurance will cover the cost. If you’re looking to learn more about these life-changing treatments, call us now for a free consultation. Our experts will assist you in the decision of whether TMS treatment is the right one for you.
3. Deep brain stimulation
A noninvasive therapy that resets the brain’s circuitry may be efficient in just one week for patients suffering from treatment resistant depression. Researchers have come up with new techniques that deliver high-dose magnetic signals to the brain quicker and on a schedule that is more manageable for patients.
Stanford neuromodulation therapy (SNT), which is now offered at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences’ Advanced Psychiatric Therapeutics Clinic utilizes MRI imaging to guide electrodes which send magnetic pulses to the targeted brain regions. In a recent study, Mitra & Raichle found in three quarters of patients suffering from depression that the normal neural activity was reversed from the anterior cortex to the anterior isola. With SNT the flow of neural activity returned to normal within a week, coinciding with a reduction in their depression.
A more invasive procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) may produce similar results in certain patients. After an array of tests to determine the optimal placement, neurosurgeons implant one or more wires, known as leads, in the brain. The leads are connected to a neurostimulator that is implanted under the collarbone. It appears like a heart pacemaker. The device delivers a continuous electric current through the leads. This alters the brain’s natural circuitry, decreasing depression private treatment symptoms.
Some psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and inter-personal therapy, may also relieve depression symptoms. Psychotherapy can be conducted in groups or in one-on-one sessions with an experienced mental health professional. Some therapy providers offer online health.
Antidepressants are still the primary treatment for depression, and in recent years there have been some remarkable advancements in the speed at which these drugs can alleviate depression 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 use electric treatment for depression or magnetic stimulation to stimulate the brain, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). These are more complicated procedures that require under the supervision of a doctor. In some cases they can cause seizures as well as 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 utilized for many years to treat seasonal depression and major depressive disorder (SAD). Studies show that it can alleviate symptoms like fatigue and sadness by regulating the circadian rhythm and improving mood. It also aids those suffering from depression that is intermittent.
Light therapy mimics sunlight which is a key element of a biological clock known as suprachiasmatic (SCN). The SCN is associated with mood, and light therapy may alter circadian rhythm patterns that can cause depression. In addition, light therapy can lower melatonin levels, and restore the neurotransmitters’ function.
Some doctors employ light therapy to combat winter blues. This is a milder form of depression that is similar to SAD however it is more common and is most prevalent in the seasons when there is the least amount light. They recommend 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 kick in and can cause adverse effects like weight gain or nausea light therapy can provide results in a matter of one week. It is also safe for pregnant women as well as older adults.
However, some researchers advise that one should never attempt light therapy without the advice of psychiatrists or a 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 reset their sleep-wake patterns.
PCPs need to be aware of new 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 pursuit of newer and better is exciting, but we should keep focusing on the most effective therapies,” Dr. Hellerstein tells Healio. He suggests that PCPs should concentrate on informing their patients on the benefits of new options and helping them adhere 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.