Die neuesten Behandlungen für Depressionen

Treatment options for depression have made significant progress in recent years. Some of the latest and most effective methods are listed below:

Therapies & interventions 

psychotherapy is a popular method for treating depression. The aim of the therapy is to recognize and change behavioral and thought patterns that can lead to depression. A special type of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is particularly effective when coping with depression. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviors.

Mindfulness -based interventions: Mindfulness -based interventions that concentrate on training individuals, being more aware of their thoughts and feelings at the present moment have proven to be promising in the treatment of depression. A study published in Jama Psychiatry in 2020 showed that the cognitive therapy (MBCT) based on mindfulness was just as effective over a period of two years in preventing depression.

Movement: It has long been known that movement has mood -enhancing effects, but recent studies have shown that it can also be an effective treatment of depression. A study published in Jama Psychiatry in 2020 showed that aerobics exercises were just as effective in reducing depression symptoms over a period of 12 weeks as medication.

Digital interventions: With the advent of telemedicine and digital health, interest in the use of technology for the treatment of depression has increased. A study published in the Jama Network Open in 2020 showed that a smartphone app that combines elements of CBT and behavior activation effectively reduces depression symptoms over a period of eight weeks.

Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle can also help to treat and reduce depression. This includes regular movement, meditation, a balanced diet and sufficient sleep. A balanced diet can help increase serotonin production in the body, which can help improve mood. Regular movement can help reduce body stress and to increase the production of endorphins that are known as "feel -good hormones".

Medication 

Antidepressants are often prescribed for the treatment of depression. The most frequently prescribed class of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS) such as paroxetine (seroxate), fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citalopram (Cipramil). There are also other types of antidepressants, such as atypical antidepressants and serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors (SNRIS). 

However, it is important to note that depression is a complex disease that can be attributed to several factors. Serotonin is only part of the puzzle and there are other factors such as genetic, environmentally and psychosocial factors that can play a role. A Article In nature molecular psychiatry brings new evidence. "In a systematic review of studies on serotonin levels in people with depression, there was no indication that depressive people had a lower serotonin level or abnormal serotonin activity compared to non -depressed people." More about it, in our Article.

According to FAVA, almost two thirds of the patients who are treated with current antidepressants do not adequately speak, and those who do this may not experience any clinically significant results for up to eight weeks.

Neuromodulation 

Neuromodulation technologies such as vagus nerve stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS) are used in the treatment of depression. You can see how TMS therapy works here:

These technologies aim to stimulate the nervous system and to bring about changes in the brain that can improve depression.

Other new treatments and fast -acting treatment methods

There are several new treatment options for depression that work quickly, including a new protocol for TMS therapy and a new oral antidepressant.

The drug Auvelity is a combination of BUPROPION and DEXTROMETORPHAN and aims at the glutamate system. It was approved by the FDA in August 2022 and can work within a week. Admission could open the door for a new class of medication that increases the glutamate.

Ketamine: Ketamine is a medication used for anesthesia and pain relief, but it was also found that it has quick antidepressant effects in people with treatment -resistant depression. It works by blocking the NMDA receptor in the brain, which increases the activity of another receptor called AMPA. This leads to the release of a chemical called Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which promotes the growth of new neurons and synapses in the brain.

Psilocybin: Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic substance that occurs in certain types of mushrooms. It was examined for its potential use in the treatment of depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. Psilocybin affects the serotonin receptors in the brain, which traditional antidepressants also aim at. Clinical studies have shown that psilocybin can cause fast and persistent antidepressant effects, but further research is required to determine its safety and effectiveness.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was already approved by the FDA in 2008, but newer versions of the TMS protocol were achieved in less than one week compared to six weeks in the older version of the protocol. The Saint method is an accelerated TMS protocol in which people receive ten treatments a day, five days. It has an accuracy of 80%to treat depression.

Other promising treatment methods are optogenetics and stem cell therapy that is examined to see if they can activate new molecules to treat depression.

Treatment combination

Combination therapies: Several studies have examined the combination of different types of depression treatments to determine whether they are more effective than the application of only one type of treatment. A study published in Jama Psychiatry in 2020 showed, for example, that a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication was more effective in reducing depression symptoms than any treatment alone.

It is important to note that there is no "universal" treatment method when it comes to depression. Every person is different and reacts differently to different therapies. It is important to speak to a doctor or therapist to find out which treatment method is best suited for you.

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Written by Mara Schär

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