Depression Treatment Advancements Researchers are always working to improve the treatment for depression This special Research in Context will explore some of the depression treatment advances Psychotherapy can ease depression symptoms by teaching a person how to handle negative thoughts and feelings Talk therapy can take place in an environment of group or one-on-one, with a mental healthcare professional Precision mental healthcare The term "precision" refers to the ability to bring more precision or precision to diagnosis, prevention and treatment methods In the context of mental health, this includes a variety of approaches from psychotherapy to medications Many of these strategies focus on the symptoms of the disorder, rather than its root causes This can result in treatments that do little more than ease symptoms, but don't address the root causes that lead to mental illness in the initial place Fortunately, the field of precision mental health is rapidly evolving It's similar to the method that is used in other areas, such as incorporating constant monitoring of important indicators eg fever or blood pressure into clinical practice It also includes combining multiple sources of data and applying machine learning to help doctors better understand a patient's individual needs and formulate more effective treatment strategies Precision psychiatry utilizes EEG to assess brain function and evaluate a patient's ability to engage cognitive behavioral therapy A new class of drugs known as NMDA receptor inhibitors may reduce depression symptoms by preventing the neurotransmitter, glutamate, from reaching certain brain cell Another potential advance is the use of pharmacogenetic tests to determine interactions between genes and drugs and avoid unfavorable side effects Additionally, a variety of companies are looking into digital precision psychiatry This is a method that uses objective digital technology to monitor patients remotely and collect real-time data that aids in guiding the treatment they receive One example is that a company is using artificial intelligence to track adherence and optimize dosages for their depression patients These kinds of solutions have the potential to significantly improve accessibility and effectiveness of mental health services and also improve patients' adherence to treatment Moreover, digital precision psychiatry can aid in overcoming barriers to treatment for people suffering from mental illness, specifically those working Johnson amp; Johnson, for instance, is working with organizations in Singapore to aid in the reintegration process of those recovering from depression back into their work This can help them keep their jobs, which are crucial for the mental health recovery process Medication Many people suffering from depression find that medication helps ease their symptoms, especially if they're experiencing severe or disabling symptoms Antidepressants restore the balance of neurotransmitters within the brain which are chemical messengers that regulate mood and emotion Most antidepressants today focus on one of these neurotransmitters by increasing levels of serotonin Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs, such as Prozac and Zoloft, boost the level of the chemical serotonin in the brain; SNRIs, like Cymbalta and Effexor, are able to target both dopamine and norepinephrine and monoamine oxidase inhibiters such as Wellbutrin and Effexor, focus on only dopamine and norepinephrine Most doctors prescribe antidepressants to treat depression as a first treatment, along with talk therapy Some of these therapies are cognitive behavioural therapy CBT which can help improve feelings and thoughts by teaching specific skills or psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships which is focused on improving relationships Other therapies, like electroconvulsive therapy ECT and transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS have also been proven to be effective in treating depression Unfortunately there are some people who do not respond to the first medications prescribed by doctors Up to one-third of patients suffering from depression don't get relief from the first medication they take, and 40 percent of people who start using antidepressants quit within three months The good news is that recent research has helped doctors determine the type of medication that will work best for each individual, utilizing blood or MRI tests to determine which receptors are the most affected by the depression The way we treat depression has improved over the last few years, with a wider range of options and higher dosages that help reduce adverse effects Modern antidepressants, such as esketamine, brexanolone and nefazodone work to quickly alleviate depression symptoms Clinical trials are underway on other medications which could alter the ways they are used A drug called Vorapaxar is currently being studied on humans It targets a different part of the brain that is associated with depression, by blocking NMDA-receptors It's expected to be available in 2024 Another drug that has shown promise is a combination of bupropion and ketamine, which may be more effective in treating treatment-resistant depression Psychotherapy Psychiatric researchers have been able identify certain elements that contribute to depression, such as imbalances in the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin These chemicals are vital in managing mood and emotions, as well as the overall function of the brain Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are the main treatment options They can ease many of the symptoms of depression that include depressed moods and fatigue, as well as improve appetite, sleep and energy However, they do have adverse effects that can make them unsuitable for certain people Psychotherapy can address root causes and help individuals overcome depression Cognitive therapy for behavior and ketamine therapy are two kinds of therapy that have been proven to lessen the symptoms of depression Psychotherapy can also assist people in developing a healthy coping style and manage stressors However, access to psychotherapy can be limited due to cost and scheduling limitations as well as a shortage of mental health providers The recent increase in Telehealth services has made it easier to some people Finding the right treatment combination is key to overcoming depression It may take up to 12 weeks to know whether your medication is effective Medication alone might not be enough to treat all of your symptoms There are a variety of nonpharmacologic treatments that are available like transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation These therapies employ electromagnetic fields to boost mood and stimulate the brain's chemistry Whether you're interested in trying medication or psychotherapy it's crucial to work closely with your therapist Be honest about your thoughts and feelings and discuss the advantages of, risks, and effects of each method Find a service that can meet your needs when you're having trouble establishing trust with your doctor or therapist A service that provides a trial period free of charge could be a great option, as it offers you the chance to test different options before committing Eventually, you'll find a treatment that works best for you and makes you feel your most at your best Brain stimulation In just a few short years, scientists have come up with new methods to target specific areas of the brain and swiftly alter the way they function These techniques can be utilized to treat depression and other mental disorders as well as some physical ailments One method is referred to as rTMS, which utilizes electromagnetic pulses to stimulate the brain It's similar to magnetic impulses used in MRI however it's not powerful enough to cause a seizure The method is achieved by stimulating a specific area of the head with the use of a non-painful magnetic The pulses affect the way that brain signals are processed which allows you to feel better The treatment only takes 35 minutes and does not disrupt your daily routine You may feel a slight headache afterward Another option is to implant electrodes into the brain to send painless electrical zaps Deep transcranial stimulation deep-TMS is a treatment that has been used to treat OCD and quit smoking It's still being researched for depression, but early studies suggest it can reduce depressive symptoms in some people It's not clear what the effect of this treatment is, but it does appear to alter the balance of certain neurotransmitters Other noninvasive brain stimulation techniques are also getting better In https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/depression-treatment , patients with severe depression and intolerance to antidepressants reacted well to a magnetic therapy called SAINT It is customized to the specific anatomy of each patient's brain and utilizes high-dose magnetic pulse patterns The treatment can be delivered in a few hours, unlike previous treatments that required daily sessions for months or weeks The researchers used FMRI to identify the exact area of the brain that was being stimulated in every patient They also looked at the small variations in the activation of the various brain regions, which helped them determine the direction of signals They found that the anterior cingulate cortex sent signals to the subgenual cortex of depressed individuals However, these signals were often misdirected, and the more severe depression was, the more of these incorrect signals were