Latest Depression Treatments The positive side is that if your depression does not improve after psychotherapy and antidepressants, new drugs that are fast-acting are promising for treating depression that is resistant to treatment SSRIs are the most popular and well-known antidepressants They work by altering how the brain processes serotonin, the chemical messenger Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT helps you change negative thoughts and behaviors, such as hopelessness It is available on the NHS for 8 to 16 sessions 1 Esketamine https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/depression-treatment approved a new treatment for depression in March 2019 which is a nasal spray dubbed esketamine brand name Spravato It is derived the anesthetic, Ketamine This has been shown to be effective in cases of severe depression The nasal spray can be used alongside an oral antidepressant to treat depression that hasn't responded to standard medication In one study 70 percent of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression treated with the drug had a positive response which was a more rapid response rate than just an oral antidepressant Esketamine differs from standard antidepressants It raises the levels of neurotransmitters that transmit messages between brain cells The effects aren't immediate Patients typically feel better after a couple of days, but effects last longer than SSRIs and SNRIs Researchers believe that esketamine reduces symptoms of depression by enhancing the connections between brain cells In animal studies, esketamine reversed these connections that can be broken down by chronic stress and depression It also appears to stimulate the development of neurons, which can help reduce suicidal thoughts and thoughts Esketamine is different from other antidepressants in that it is delivered by nasal spray This allows it to reach your bloodstream much faster than pills or oral medications The drug has been shown to decrease symptoms of depression within hours, and in some people, the effects are almost instantaneous A recent study that tracked patients for 16-weeks found that not all patients who began treatment with esketamine were in the remission phase This is not unexpected, according Dr Amit Anand, an expert on ketamine, who was not involved in the study Esketamine is available only in clinical trials or in private practice Esketamine isn't a first-line option to treat depression It is prescribed when SSRIs and SNRIs don't work for a patient with treatment-resistant depressive disorder A patient's physician will determine if the disorder is not responding to treatment and decide if it is possible to use esketamine for treatment 2 TMS TMS makes use of magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain It is noninvasive, does not require surgery or anesthesia and has been proven to reduce depression for people who are not responding to psychotherapy or medication It is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD and tinnitus For depression, TMS therapy is typically administered as a series of 36 daily sessions spread over six weeks The magnetic pulses may feel like pinpricks on the scalp It can take time to become accustomed to After the treatment, patients are able to return to work or go home Each TMS session lasts between 35 minutes and 20 minutes, based on the stimulation pattern Researchers believe that rTMS works by altering the way neurons communicate with one another This process, referred to as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to form new connections and to modify its function Presently, TMS is FDA-cleared to treat depression when other therapies like talk therapy or medications, haven't succeeded It has also been proven to be effective in treating tinnitus as well as OCD And scientists are exploring whether it can be used to treat anxiety and Parkinson's disease While a variety of studies have proven that TMS can help with depression however, not everyone who receives the treatment benefits It is essential to undergo a thorough psychiatric as well as medical evaluation prior to beginning this type of treatment If you have a history of seizures or are taking certain medications, TMS may not be the best option for you A visit to your doctor may be beneficial if you're struggling with depression but not getting any benefit from your current treatment You may be eligible for the TMS trial or other types of neurostimulation However, you need to first try a variety of antidepressants before your insurance company will cover the cost Contact us today to arrange an appointment if you're interested in learning more Our experts will assist you through the process of determining if TMS treatment is the right one for you 3 Deep brain stimulation A noninvasive therapy that resets the brain circuitry could be effective in as little as one week for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression Researchers have devised new methods that allow them to deliver high-dose electromagnetic pulses to the brain in a shorter amount of time and on a schedule that is more suitable for patients Stanford neuromodulation therapy SNT, that is now available at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' Advanced Psychiatric Therapeutics Clinic, uses MRI imaging to guide electrodes which send magnetic pulses to specific brain regions In a recent study, Mitra and Raichle observed that in three-quarters of patients suffering from depression, the normal flow of neural activity from the anterior cingulate cortex to the anterior insula was interrupted SNT returned that flow back to normal within a few days, and it was perfectly timed with the easing of depression A more in-depth procedure known as deep brain stimulation DBS may produce similar results in certain patients After several tests to determine the best 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, which looks like a heart pacemaker The device supplies continuous electrical current to the leads which alters the brain's circuitry and helps reduce depression symptoms Certain psychotherapy treatments can help relieve depression symptoms, such as cognitive behavior therapy and interpersonal therapy Psychotherapy can be offered in one-on-one sessions with a mental health professional, or in a group setting Some therapists offer online health Antidepressants are a key component of treatment for depression However, in recent times there have been some remarkable advancements in the speed at which these medications work to reduce 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 therapies use electric or magnetic stimulation to stimulate the brain, for example electroconvulsive therapy ECT and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation rTMS These are more complex procedures that need to be performed under a physician's care In some cases they can trigger seizures or other serious adverse effects 4 Light therapy Bright light therapy, which entails sitting or working in front of a bright artificial light source, has been known for many years to treat major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns SAD Research has shown that it can alleviate symptoms such as sadness and fatigue by regulating the circadian rhythm and improving mood It is also beneficial for those who suffer from depression that is intermittent Light therapy mimics sunlight which is a major component of a biological clock referred to as suprachiasmatic SCN The SCN is associated with mood, and light therapy can rewire misaligned circadian rhythm patterns that can contribute to depression Light can also reduce melatonin and restore the function of neurotransmitters Some doctors use light therapy to treat winter blues This is a milder type of depression that is similar to SAD but is more common and is most prevalent in the times of year when there is the least amount light They suggest sitting in front of a light therapy box every morning for 30 minutes while awake to reap the most benefits Contrary to antidepressants, which may take weeks to begin working and can often cause side effects like nausea or weight gain light therapy can provide results within one week It's also safe to use during pregnancy and for older adults Researchers advise against using light therapy under the supervision of an expert in mental health or psychiatrist, since it can trigger manic episodes for people who suffer from bipolar disorders Some people may experience fatigue in the first week because light therapy can alter their sleep-wake cycle PCPs should be aware of any new treatments that have been approved by FDA However they shouldn't be ignoring the tried-and-true techniques like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy "The search for more effective and innovative treatments is exciting, but we should keep focusing on the most effective therapies," Dr Hellerstein informs Healio He says PCPs should focus on informing their patients on the benefits of new options and helping them stick to their treatment strategies This can include arranging for transportation to their doctor's office or setting reminders to take medications and attend therapy sessions