Advanced chronic depression treatment Treatment
If your depression isn’t responding to a first-line antidepressant your doctor may try increasing the dosage or adding a different type of medication. They may also recommend psychotherapy.
The newer psychotherapy techniques like augmented depression treatment have empirical evidence-based support and could help alleviate depression symptoms. These therapies are focused on identifying and resolving the ways in which depression can affect your daily routine.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
A form of non-invasive brain stimulation, TMS uses magnetic impulses to affect the brain’s neurons that are that are responsible for mood. It is frequently recommended to treat post natal depression treatment when medication has failed or is not suitable for a person. It can also be used to treat PTSD and is often combined with psychotherapy. TMS is an effective and safe treatment that does not cause severe side effects.
During the session, a healthcare professional will place an electromagnetic coil on your scalp that is over the region of the brain that regulates mood. In the case of rTMS, it is the dorsolateral frontal cortex (dLPFC). It is a tiny area situated on the front of your head. You will hear a click sound and feel a tapping sensation as the device sends the brain with electrical impulses. The healthcare professional will adjust settings to stimulate the desired areas of the brain.
The healthcare professional will assess the amount of energy needed to cause a thumb twitch. This is important as it helps them know how much power they’re using and ensures the safety of the patient. In the past, pulses were delivered at 120% of the threshold of motor. But, current research is focusing on speeding up TMS therapy to reduce time required to treat and improve the rate of response.
In a randomized control trial researchers have proven that TMS can aid people suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) who do not respond to antidepressants. The study revealed that patients treated with rTMS experienced significant improvements in symptoms like low mood, sadness, changes in appetite, and a loss of enjoyment or enthusiasm for activities. The study also revealed improvements that lasted a long duration.
In contrast to other forms of brain stimulation like vagus nerve stimulation or electroconvulsive therapy, TMS does not interfere with psychotherapy. It is safe for pregnant women and has a low chance of seizures. Some patients may feel pain or discomfort on their scalps beneath the magnet during treatment.
TMS treatments typically last about 30 minutes. Your provider will tell you what the duration of the treatment will last and may even stop the pulses during this time to allow the magnet to cool down.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
VNS (also called Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy) is a treatment option that sends precise electrical signals to alter brain wave patterns and lessen depression symptoms. The device is surgically implanted and uses tiny generators that are connected to a wire wound around the left Vagus nerve in the neck. The procedure has been FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression in people who have not received relief from other treatments, such as psychotherapy or medication. It’s also approved as a seizure treatment for epilepsy sufferers.
Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of VNS with a sham-device in patients suffering from bipolar disorder or unipolar disorder that is resistant treatment. depression. Patients in the VNS group received a moderate, low or high dose of electrical stimulation during the 22-week “acute phase.” The primary endpoint was change in the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-SR30). Patients in the VNS group had significantly better results than those in the group of sham. At a 12-month follow-up patients in the VNS group had a mean IDS-SR30 score of 9.3 points, while those in the group of sham had a score of 4.2 points.
The VNS therapy was well-tolerated with the most common side effects being voice alteration or hoarseness as well as an impression of weight on the chest. Other reported side effects were headache, tingling fatigue, fatigue, and changes in swallowing or speech. Certain of these were more often in the higher dose groups, whereas others happened at all doses. The rate of AEs in this study was similar to other studies and they generally resolved by the end of the study period of acute.
Psychiatrists at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center regularly participate in national conversations about the best ways to treat post pregnancy depression treatment and other mood disorders. Our experts help shape the national standards of care and are currently a site for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services RECOVER multicenter clinical trial that will further study VNS as a treatment option for treatment-resistant dementia depression treatment. This is a crucial research study, as the evidence suggests that VNS could provide a better treatment for patients who are chronically ill.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT is a potent treatment for depression that isn’t improving through medication. It’s especially useful for those who are suicidal or unable to wait for their medication to kick in.
During the ECT procedure, doctors send small electric currents through the brain to intentionally cause an instant seizure. This is believed to alter brain chemical structure and improve symptoms of certain mental health conditions. ECT has been in use since the 1930s. Despite the stigma associated with the treatment it has helped many people.
To be given ECT, your psychiatrist will require an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. They will then review your medical records and perform various tests, including an electrocardiogram, blood tests and perhaps an X-ray of your chest. They will ask you about how you think about ECT, and take into account any opinions of family members or friends who are speaking on your behalf.
The ECT procedure is carried out under general anesthesia. This means that you won’t feel any sensation. A mouth guard is put on to protect your teeth and an air mask is placed over your face to provide oxygen. An anesthesiologist injects an anesthetic into your vein with needle. After you fall asleep, electrodes will be placed on either one or both sides of your head based on whether you are receiving unilateral or bilateral ECT. These send tiny electrical impulses to the brain, which trigger brief seizures. It lasts for 20 to 60 seconds, and you wake up within a few minutes after it’s finished.
You can revoke your consent to ECT at any point before the initial treatment. This is your right under the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations and your doctor should always take into account your wishes when deciding whether to use ECT for you.
ECT can be a good treatment option for people who have tried other treatments but have failed to notice any improvement. It can also be helpful with mild depression, severe psychosis or when you’re a risk to yourself or others and you are unable to wait for the effects of medication to take effect. The majority of people have to attend multiple ECT sessions over three to six weeks.
Light therapy
Light therapy helps to compensate for the absence of sunlight, which can contribute to major depression disorder that has seasonal patterns (formerly called seasonal affective disorder). It can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments, such as psychotherapy and medication. When you undergo light therapy you are seated next to the light box, which emits bright, white light. The light is usually between 10,000 and 2,500 light lux. During each session, you’ll be sitting for 30 minutes in front of the lamp. The light can boost your mood and ease symptoms of SAD such as being constantly tired and sleeping excessively.
Although scientists don’t know for certain how light therapy can help treat SAD, they do know that it has a direct influence on the circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms influence the patterns of sleep, hormones, and other functions. Light therapy can reset the internal clock of your body through influencing the release of melatonin. It is a chemical which regulates sleep-wake cycles. It also affects neurotransmitter functions by altering the production of serotonin, which is a chemical that improves your mood.
Several studies have shown that light therapy improves depression symptoms and boosts the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs. Additionally, some studies have demonstrated that light therapy is effective in treating depression without antidepressants bipolar disorder. These results are encouraging and suggest light therapy may be an option for people with both depression and bipolar disorder.
Before you begin using light therapy, talk to your physician or a mental health professional about it. They can help you find the appropriate device for your needs and provide instructions on how to make use of it. They can also inform you whether it interacts with other medications you take.
Light therapy is a safe treatment that does not cause any serious side effects. However, you should use it according to the instructions of your doctor. It is essential to seek treatment as soon as you can if you’re suffering from situational depression treatment that is severe. Depression is a serious condition, and it can have severe consequences for your physical and mental well-being. In extreme cases, it could cause thoughts of suicide. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings, seek help immediately from an expert in mental health.