Are you depressed too? Let's talk about modern treatments for depression (Major Depressive Disorder)

There are days when we feel like doing nothing, and we feel very sad and burdened. That's normal. But if this feeling persists for more than two weeks, if everything seems hopeless and hopeless, it may be something deeper than simple sadness. We are talking about depression, or as doctors call it , 'Major Depressive Disorder' . This is the most common mental illness in the world. But don't worry, you are not alone in talking about this and asking for help.

What exactly is depression?

Simply put, depression is a mental illness that affects your mood. It's not a mental illness or a figment of your imagination. It's a real medical condition. Although no single cause has been identified, scientists believe that it may be caused by a combination of factors, including chemical changes in the brain, genetic influences, and traumatic life events.

To diagnose this condition, you must have several of the following symptoms for at least two weeks in a row:

• A deep sadness and emptiness that feels like it lasts all day.
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy.
• Feeling very tired, lifeless.
• Sleep changes (sleeping a lot or not sleeping at all).
• Changes in appetite (loss of appetite or overeating).
• Underestimating oneself, feeling worthless.
• Difficulty concentrating.

How was treatment done in the past? Old medicine methods

For a long time, about 50 years, when it came to treating depression, scientists focused mostly on chemicals in our brains called neurotransmitters. Think of them as the 'signals' that allow nerve cells in our brains to talk to each other. If these signals aren't working properly, our mood can be disrupted.

Many older medications, called 'antidepressants', were developed to balance the activity of three chemical messengers in particular : serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine . These medications have had good results for many people, but not for everyone.

Why doesn't this medicine work for everyone?

Here's the problem. About three out of every ten people with depression don't get much relief even after switching not just one medication, but two. Doctors call this condition 'treatment-resistant depression' .

This is why, over the past two decades or so, scientists have completely changed the way they think about depression. They've realized that depression isn't just a problem with those three chemical messengers we talked about earlier. The biology of the brain is much more complex than that. And that's opening up a whole new avenue for finding new drugs.

Let's look at the difference between ancient and modern treatments this way.

The latest fast-acting medicine

The idea that depression takes weeks or months to heal is changing. New, rapid treatments have expanded the boundaries of what can be done in this field.

A special medicine for postpartum depression

In 2019, a drug called Brexanolone was approved. It was specifically developed for postpartum depression , which is also a type of major depressive disorder.

• How does it work? Although it's not 100% clear exactly how it works, it's a synthetic copy of a steroid that our bodies naturally produce. It works by affecting receptors in the brain called GABA, which help control our mood.
• How do you take it? This medication is not as easy to take as other antidepressants. It must be given as an IV infusion (like saline) over a period of 60 hours , in a hospital, under medical supervision.
• Results? Surprisingly, the results are very quick. Your depression symptoms may start to decrease as soon as the treatment is finished.

Similarly, research continues on other newer medications that can provide faster results for treatment-resistant depression, meaning we can expect even better treatments in the future.

So, what should I do?

If you are reading this article and have any of these symptoms, please don't suffer alone. Don't decide you have an illness by looking online.

Only your doctor can accurately diagnose your condition and determine the best treatment for you. This may include conventional medicine, counseling/therapy, or a referral to a mental health professional if necessary. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength.