Newest Treatment for Depression

While depression is an illness that has plagued humans for generations, only recently have we come up with treatment options. However, according to the University of Michigan (Reference 2), more than 30 percent of depressed patients don't respond well to traditional treatments such as medication. For these patients, there are a variety of newer treatment methods available. These options may provide hope for sufferers who haven't found relief through antidepressant therapy.

Hormone Therapy

• Fluctuating hormones can trigger or worsen a depressive episode, making hormone therapy a great option for women experiencing depression. Women who are breastfeeding, have recently given birth or who are beginning menopause are at a significant risk of depression. These women often experience a sudden drop in estrogen levels, which can contribute to depressive symptoms. Symptoms are often decreased when the estrogen level is supplemented with synthetic hormones.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

• If a patient experiences severe, suicidal depression that doesn't respond to treatment with medication, vagus nerve stimulation may be an option. In this new method of treating depression, an electronic device is implanted in the chest. The device is connected to the vagus nerve in the neck, and electronic impulses are sent out along it at regular intervals. This nerve is connected to the mood-regulating center of the brain, and regular stimulation has been shown to improve mood without medication.

Magnetic Therapy

• This new treatment for depression focuses on stimulating areas of the brain that regulate mood. Magnetic waves are sent into these areas of the brain at predetermined intervals in a painless outpatient procedure. The waves stimulate the brain to regulate emotions correctly, allowing depressive patients to find relief from their symptoms. The procedures take around forty minutes and are repeated for a period of several days to several weeks.