What Is Advanced Depression Treatment? Heck What Exactly Is Advanced Depression Treatment?
Advanced Depression Treatment
If your depression doesn't respond to a first-line antidepressant your doctor might suggest increasing the dose or adding another type of medication. They may also suggest psychotherapy.
The newest psychotherapy methods like enhanced depression treatment have scientific support and may help improve depression symptoms. These treatments focus on identifying and resolving the ways in which depression interferes with your daily routine.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
A type of noninvasive brain stimulation, TMS employs magnetic impulses to affect the brain's neurons that are responsible for mood. It is typically prescribed to treat depression when medication fails or is not suitable for the person. It can also be used to treat PTSD and is sometimes paired with psychotherapy. TMS is a reliable and safe treatment with no adverse negative side effects.
During the session, a health professional will place an electromagnetic coil over the area of your brain that regulates mood. In the case of rTMS, this is the dorsolateral frontal cortex (dLPFC). This is a small region that is located in front of your brain. The device will send electrical impulses to your brain. You will hear clicking sounds and feel a tingling sensation. depression treatment centers will adjust the settings to stimulate the desired areas of your brain.
The healthcare professional will assess the amount of energy needed to trigger the thumb to blink. This is crucial because it helps them to know the amount of power they are using and to ensure the security of the patient. In the past, pulses were given at 120% of the threshold for motor. The current research focuses on speeding up TMS treatment to decrease the duration of treatment and increase response rates.
Researchers have proven in a randomized controlled study that TMS can help people with MDD who are not responding well to antidepressants. The study showed that patients treated with rTMS experienced significant improvements in symptoms like sadness and low mood, changes in appetite and the loss of interest or enjoyment of activities. The study also revealed that the improvements were long-lasting.
Contrary to other types of brain stimulation such as vagus nerve stimulation or electroconvulsive therapy, TMS does not interfere with psychotherapy. It is safe for women who are pregnant and has a low risk of seizure. Some patients might experience pain or discomfort on their scalps under the magnet during treatment.
TMS treatments typically last about 30 minutes. The doctor will inform you of the duration of the treatment and may stop the treatment to allow the magnet to cool down.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
VNS (also known as Vagus Neuro Stimulation Therapy) is a treatment option that sends timed electrical signals to change brain wave patterns and lessen depression symptoms. This device is surgically implanted and uses a small generator that's connected to a wire wound around the left Vagus nerve at the neck. The procedure has been FDA-approved for people suffering from depression that is treatment-resistant who have not received relief from other treatments, such as psychotherapy or medication. It's also approved for seizure control in a few epileptic patients.
In the most comprehensive clinical study of VNS researchers compared the effectiveness with a sham device in people who had treatment-resistant unipolar or depressed-phase bipolar disorder. The VNS group received an extremely low, medium dose or high dose of electrical stimulation over a period of 22 weeks. The primary endpoint was the improvement in the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-SR30). Patients in the VNS group improved significantly more than those in the group with a sham. After a 12-month follow-up participants in the VNS group had an average IDS-SR30 score of 9.3 points, while those in the sham group scored 4.2 points.
The VNS therapy was well tolerated and the most frequent adverse effects being voice changes or hoarseness as well as a feeling of weight on the chest. Other reported side effects included headaches, tingling, fatigue, and changes in speech or swallowing. Some of these adverse effects occurred more frequently in the higher dose groups, while others occurred at all doses. The rate of AEs was comparable to those observed in other studies, and they were usually cleared by the end the acute study period.
Psychiatrists from Ohio State Wexner Medical Center are regularly invited to participate in national discussions on the best method to treat depression and mood disorders. Our experts help shape national standards of health care. We are also a part of a multicenter clinical trial called RECOVER which is being conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The goal of this study is to evaluate VNS for treatment-resistant depression. This is an important research endeavor, since the evidence available suggests that VNS may provide improved benefits and hope for this difficult-to-treat chronic patient.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT is a highly effective treatment for depression that isn't improving through medication. It is particularly beneficial for those who are suicidal, or are unable to wait until their medication take effect.
During the ECT procedure doctors send tiny electric currents to the brain to intentionally cause an instant seizure. This appears to alter brain chemical structure and improve symptoms of some mental health issues. ECT has been used since the 1930s. Despite the stigma associated with the treatment it has helped a lot of people.
Your psychiatrist will need to conduct a thorough mental assessment before suggesting ECT. They will then review your medical records and perform several tests, such as an electrocardiogram, blood tests and maybe a chest X ray. They will ask you to describe how you feel about ECT and consider any opinions from family members, friends, or advocates representing you.
The ECT treatment is given while you are asleep under general anesthesia, so you won't feel any pain during the procedure. A mouth guard is used to protect your teeth, while masks protect your face to allow oxygen. An anesthesiologist injects a local anesthetic into your vein using a needle. After you fall asleep, electrodes will be placed on one side or both of your heads depending on whether you are receiving unilateral or bilateral ECT. These deliver small electrical pulses to the brain, which trigger a short seizure. It lasts for 20 to 60 seconds and you are awake shortly after it's over.
It is important to remember that you can revoke your consent for ECT at any time, even just before the first treatment. This is your right under the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations and your doctor should always consider your wishes when considering ECT for you.
ECT can be a beneficial treatment option for people who tried other treatments but 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 kick in. In most instances, you'll need undergo several ECT sessions over three to six weeks.
Light therapy
Light therapy is a way to compensate for the lack of sunlight, which can contribute to major depression disorder with seasonal patterns (formerly known as seasonal affective disorder). It can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments, such as psychotherapy and medications. During light therapy, you are seated near a light box or lamp that emits bright light typically in the range of 2,500-10,000 luminosity. Each session, you'll sit for 30 minutes near the lamp. The light can help improve your mood and alleviate symptoms of SAD like feeling constantly tired and a sleepy night.
Although researchers aren't sure how light therapy can help treat SAD, they do know that it has an immediate effect on circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms impact sleep patterns, hormones, and other functions. Light therapy can reset the internal clock of your body through influencing the release of melatonin, the chemical that regulates sleep and wake cycles. It can also impact neurotransmitter functions by altering the production of serotonin a chemical that lifts your mood.
Several studies have shown that light therapy can improve depression symptoms and increases the effectiveness of antidepressant medications. In addition, some studies have shown that light therapy is effective in treating bipolar disorder. These results are encouraging, and they suggest that light therapy may be an option for those suffering from bipolar disorder and depression.
Speak to your doctor or mental health professional before you start using light therapy. They can assist you in choosing the right device and provide you with instructions on how to use it. They can also tell if it interacts with other medications you take.
Light therapy is a secure treatment that does not cause serious adverse side adverse effects. However, it is important to use it according to the instructions of your physician. It is essential to seek treatment as soon as you can if you're suffering from severe depression. Depression is a serious condition and can have grave consequences for your emotional and physical well-being. In severe instances, it may result in thoughts of suicide. If you are having suicidal thoughts, seek assistance immediately from an expert in mental health.