Is there no cure for depression with conventional treatments? Here are the latest high-tech treatments for depression

Are you struggling with depression? Maybe you've tried medication prescribed by your doctor, gone to counseling, and still haven't felt much better. It's normal to feel discouraged and hopeless at times like these. But remember, you're not alone. Medical science is advancing day by day. That's why there are new, advanced treatments that can help people who don't respond well to conventional treatments. That's what we're talking about today.

What is 'treatment-resistant depression'?

Simply put, this is the condition we talked about above. That is, we call treatment-resistant depression when the symptoms do not improve with accepted treatments for depression (for example, two or more different types of antidepressants, at the right dosage, for a sufficient period of time).

Imagine, your doctor gives you a medication, and after a few months of using it, it doesn't make much difference. Then he switches you to a different medication. If that doesn't work, you could fall into this category. It's at times like these that doctors consider these specialized, advanced treatments that we're going to talk about.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) - should you be as scared as you think?

When you hear the word "Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)," you may be reminded of scenes from old Sinhala and Hindi movies and feel scared. But in reality, ECT is a very safe and controlled treatment today.

What happens in this is that you are completely anesthetized (put to sleep) and this treatment is done. So you don't feel anything. A team of specialists (a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist, and nurses) are there for this. They send very small, controlled electrical pulses to your brain through electrodes placed on your head. This is believed to restore communication between nerve cells in the brain, and the symptoms of depression are rapidly reduced.

Typically , 6 to 12 sessions are required, usually two to three times a week. ECT is a very effective treatment, especially for those with severe depression that is resistant to treatment and those with suicidal thoughts.

However, like everything else, there are risks and side effects. Some people may experience memory problems (especially around the time of treatment) for a short time after treatment. Therefore, it is important to discuss all of this with your doctor before starting treatment.

Magnetic Pulse Therapy (TMS and MST) - What are these?

Both of these methods use magnetic fields to influence the brain, but the two methods are slightly different.

1. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

This is a much simpler procedure than ECT. You are not put to sleep. You can sit in a chair. A doctor or technician places a special device (an `insulated wire coil`) on your scalp and sends magnetic pulses through it to specific areas of the brain that are thought to be involved in depression. This is painless.

A session lasts about 30 minutes, and you may need to receive treatment about 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks. One of the biggest advantages of TMS is that it has very few side effects and does not require a hospital stay. Some people may feel a tingling sensation in their scalp, or they may experience a mild headache or dizziness. However, it has not been reported to affect memory as much as ECT. However, it is important to remember that TMS does not produce as strong results as ECT.

2. Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST)

This is still in the research stage, and is like a cross between ECT and TMS. Here, a strong magnetic field is used to induce a controlled seizure in the brain. Although the exact cause is not known, this seizure quickly relieves symptoms of depression. It also requires anesthesia, as in ECT. However, doctors hope that since ECT can target areas of the brain more precisely, it will have less effect on memory.

Other treatments related to surgery

These are more advanced, surgical treatments. They are usually used in very severe cases where all other treatments have failed.

1. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

This is a treatment that is already being used for Parkinson's disease. In this, electrodes are surgically inserted into very specific, deep areas of the brain. These electrodes are powered by a battery pack implanted under the skin of the chest or abdomen. These electrodes send electrical signals to the circuits in the brain that control mood, controlling symptoms of depression. Although research is still limited, the results are promising.

2. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

The vagus nerve is a long nerve that runs from the brain to various parts of the body. This nerve is also connected to the parts of the brain that control mood. In this treatment, a small device, similar to a pacemaker, is surgically implanted under the skin of the chest. The device sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve. This improves nerve communication in the brain and relieves depression. However, it may take several months to see results.

Ketamine - instant relief?

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug. But recent research has found that when given in very low doses, it can provide immediate relief within a few hours in some severely depressed patients.

A nasal spray treatment called Ketoconazole is now approved for people who do not respond to other antidepressants or who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. In addition, an intravenous infusion (IV infusion) is also used. This is often done in a hospital setting, under medical supervision.

Depression, Mental Health, ECT, TMS, Ketamine, Depression treatment, Basic Pressure