Advanced Depression Treatment If you don't see any improvement after taking an antidepressant that you first try, your doctor may increase the dosage or suggest another kind of medication They might also suggest psychotherapy The latest psychotherapy techniques, such as enhanced depression treatment have scientific support and can help reduce depression symptoms These treatments aim at identifying and resolving specific ways in which depression affects your daily life Transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation that uses magnetic pulses to affect the brain's neurons that control mood It is often suggested to treat depression when medications have failed or are not appropriate for a particular person It can also be used to treat PTSD and is sometimes paired with psychotherapy TMS is an effective and safe treatment, with no serious side adverse effects During the session, a medical 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 area located on the front of your head You will hear a clicking sound and feel a thumping sensation as the device delivers pulses to your brain The healthcare professional will adjust the settings to stimulate the desired areas of your brain The healthcare professional will assess the amount of energy required to cause a thumb blink This is crucial, since it lets them know the energy they are employing to ensure the safety of patients In the past, pulses were given at 120 of the motor threshold However, the current research is focused on accelerating TMS therapy to reduce duration of treatment and increase the rate of response Researchers have shown in a randomized controlled study that TMS can be used to help people with MDD who do not respond well to antidepressants The study showed that patients treated with rTMS saw significant improvement in symptoms like low mood and sadness, as well as changes in appetite, and decreased enjoyment or interest in activities The study also found that the improvements were long-lasting TMS is different from other types of brain stimulation like electroconvulsive treatment and vagus nerve stimulator It does not interfere in psychotherapy It is also safe for women who are pregnant, and it has a very low risk of seizures However, some people can suffer from discomfort or pain on the scalp beneath the magnet during treatment Typical TMS treatments last for about half an hour https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/depression-treatment will tell you what the duration of the treatment will take and may also stop the pulses in this period to let the magnet cool down Vagus Nerve Stimulation VNS VNS also known as Vagus Nerve Stimulation is a treatment that uses controlled electrical signals that are timed to alter brainwave patterns and reduce depression symptoms This device is surgically implanted, and it uses a small generator that's connected to a wire wound around the left Vagus nerve at the neck The procedure has been approved by the FDA for treating depression that is resistant to treatment in patients who have not received relief from other treatments such as psychotherapy or medication It is also approved as a seizure treatment option for certain individuals with epilepsy In the most comprehensive clinical study of VNS researchers compared its effectiveness with the use of a sham device among patients who had treatment-resistant monopolar or depressed-phase bipolar disorder The VNS group was given a low dose, medium dose or high dosage of electrical stimulation for 22 weeks The primary end point was a change in Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report IDS-SR30 score throughout the study Patients in the VNS group had significantly better results than those in the sham group After a 12-month follow-up, the VNS group had a mean IDSSR30 of 93 while the group of sham scored 42 The VNS treatment was well-tolerated The most frequently reported side effects were voice alteration, hoarseness, and a sensation in the chest Other reported side effects included tingling, headache fatigue, fatigue and changes in swallowing or speech Some of these adverse effects occurred more frequently in higher dose groups, while others occurred at all doses The rate of AEs was comparable to those observed in other studies, and were usually cleared by the end the acute study period Psychiatrists from Ohio State Wexner Medical Center are regularly invited to take part in national discussions about the best way to treat depression and mood disorders Our experts are helping establish national standards for health treatment We are also the site for an international clinical trial, called RECOVER which is being conducted by the Centers for Medicare amp; Medicaid Services The goal of this study is to examine VNS for treatment-resistant depression This is an important research project, as the evidence available today 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 doesn't improve by taking medication It is particularly beneficial for those who are suicidal or can't wait for their medication to start working During ECT doctors transmit small electrical currents through the head to intentionally trigger a short seizure The brain is reportedly altered by this chemical structure and improve the symptoms of certain mental health disorders ECT has been used since the 1930s, and despite the stigma associated with the treatment, many people have seen positive results from it In order to be prescribed ECT, your psychiatrist will have to conduct a thorough psychiatric assessment They will review your medical records and run a series tests, including an electrocardiogram, blood tests and perhaps a chest X ray They will ask you how you feel about ECT, and consider any opinions from family members or friends representing you The ECT procedure is done under general anesthesia This means that you will not feel any sensation A mouth guard is put in place to protect your teeth, and a mask is put over your face for oxygen An anesthesiologist injects an Anesthetic using a needle in your vein After you are asleep, electrodes will be placed on one or both sides of your head depending on whether you have unilateral or bilateral ECT These send tiny electrical impulses to the brain that cause a short seizure It only lasts 20 to 60 seconds and you wake up soon after it's over It is important to remember that you can withdraw your consent for ECT at any time, even just before the first treatment You have the right to revoke your consent under the Care Quality Commission CQC and your doctor should always take your preferences into consideration when deciding whether or not to use ECT ECT can be a beneficial treatment option for people who have tried other treatments but have failed to see any improvement It can also help with mild depression, severe psychosis or when you're a risk to others or yourself and cannot wait for the effects of medication to kick in In the majority of instances, you'll need have several ECT sessions over three to six weeks Light therapy Light therapy helps to compensate for the absence of sunlight This is a factor that could contribute to the development of seasonal affective disorder formerly known as major depressive disorder It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or as an add-on to other treatments, like psychotherapy or medication When you undergo light therapy you sit in front of a light box that emits white light with bright colors The light is usually between 2,500 and 10,000 light lux During each treatment session you will sit for around 30 minutes near the light source The light may boost your mood as well as ease other symptoms of SAD like being tired all the time and sleeping too much Researchers aren't sure what the effects of light therapy on SAD However they do are aware that it has an effect on the circadian rhythms Circadian rhythms are biological cycles that impact the pattern of sleep, hormone levels, and other important functions Light therapy can reset the internal clock of your body by influencing melatonin release, an ingredient that regulates sleep-wake cycles It also affects neurotransmitter function by affecting the production of serotonin an ingredient that boosts your mood Several studies have shown that light therapy can improve depression symptoms and boosts the effectiveness of antidepressant medication In addition, a few studies have demonstrated 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 Before you start using light therapy, talk to your doctor or mental health professional about it They can guide you in choosing the right device and give you instructions on how to use it They can also tell you whether it interacts with any other medications you are taking Light therapy is a secure treatment that does not cause serious side negative effects However, it is important to use it according to the instructions of your doctor It is important to seek treatment as soon as you can if you're suffering from severe depression Depression is a serious illness and it can result in serious consequences for your physical and mental well-being In extreme cases, depression may result in suicidal ideas Get immediate help from a mental health professional if you have suicidal feelings