3 Approaches for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first treatment used for depression. Many people find they have tried different SSRIs on the market without a significant improvement in depressive symptoms. There are other treatment options available when first-line treatments have not worked. How can you address your symptoms if you feel like you've tried everything?

1. Other Classes of Antidepressants

Fortunately, there are many classes of antidepressants that may be more effective than SSRIs. Other classes of medications include reuptake inhibitors that affect dopamine and/or norepinephrine, in addition to serotonin. Sometimes tackling all the neurotransmitters that are associated with mood is more effective than only focusing on one. Some examples of medications that may be helpful include duloxetine, which is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) or bupropion, which is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). Other options for antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Generally, these classes of antidepressants are reserved for last since the reuptake inhibitors do not require dietary changes like MAOIs and are often better tolerated and safer than TCAs.

2. Possibility of Misdiagnosis

Another consideration with treatment-resistant depression is that your symptoms may have been misdiagnosed. Many people with bipolar disorder were originally misdiagnosed with depression. Bipolar disorder is treated differently since treatment with antidepressants alone may induce manic episodes. Depending on the doctor, they may want to add a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic to your current antidepressant to see if there is symptom improvement. In situations where a misdiagnosis has not occurred, several antipsychotic medications that are used to treat bipolar are also approved to treat depression alone or in combination with an antidepressant.

3. Medical Procedures

Medical procedures are usually reserved for severe, unrelenting depression symptoms that either do not respond to any medication or the person is at risk for suicide. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most widely used medical procedure for treatment-resistant depression. The procedure involves using an electrical current while the patient is anesthetized and sedated to create a controlled seizure. Several treatment sessions are needed before patients notice benefits.

A newer medical procedure is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, which uses a strong magnetic current over areas of the brain that are involved with mood. The procedure is non-invasive and does not require sedation like ECT. TMS therapy is typically done multiple times per week for several weeks before the procedure can reach maximum effectiveness.

When SSRIs are not helpful for depression, you may feel like you will never find relief. Fortunately, there are many options available for people with treatment-resistant depression to live a better quality of life.



Tags:
433 Words

About Me

Trending Health And Medical Information For Healthy Living If you have questions or concerns about the latest health and medical news, then you're in the right place. Whether you are seeking up-to-the-minute information on vaccinations, bacterial and viral infections, cardiovascular disease, or how to reduce your risk for high blood pressure and diabetes, we can help. Our website features blog posts and articles that give you the medical information you need in terms that you can understand. You will also find helpful articles about many common medications that may include information about side effects, interactions, and contraindications. Other topics of interest you'll discover on our site are those pertaining to weight loss, exercise, and tips on how to enhance your emotinal health.

Search

Categories

Latest Posts

Exploring The Benefits Of Plasma Injections
27 February 2024
Plasma injections, a form of regenerative medicine, have gained popularity in recent years. They're known for their potential to heal injuries and red

The Benefits of Using Urgent Care
12 January 2024
Illnesses and injuries can happen out of nowhere and at any time, leaving you with very little time to wait around for an appointment with your primar

Why Orthopedic Services are Important for Your Health
15 December 2023
Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that deals with musculoskeletal disorders. These disorders affect the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendo