YOUR HEALTH: Stimulate your depression
Treatments include counseling, medications, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS, to stimulate the mood-regulating parts of the brain.
"Not all patients respond to the medication or to the neuromodulation," explained Dr. Francisco Romo-Nava, a physician scientist at the University of Cincinnati's Lindner Center of HOPE.
Dr. Romo-Nava and his colleagues are studying a new way to treat mental health disorders.
The neuroscientists are testing a device that delivers stimulation to a patient's spine.
Dr. Romo-Nava says the stimulation will improve the feedback in the central nervous system that is sometimes disrupted when a person has a psychiatric disorder.
For now, patients undergo spinal stimulation for 20 minutes, three times a week, for eight weeks.
"The kind of stimulation that we use is very well tolerated," he explained.
"The most frequent description is like a tingling sensation
Researchers say this stimulation therapy could be the first step to developing better treatment for some patients.
Dr. Romo-Nava was granted a patent for the stimulation method that utilizes transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
He says his research team is trying to determine how often, and how long, patients should undergo the stimulation for the best results.
Between 80% and 90% of people with depression respond well to treatment, and almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.
A new form of magnetic brain stimulation relieved symptoms of severe depression in 90% of participants in a study conducted by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
The researchers are conducting a larger, double-blinded trial in which half the participants are receiving fake treatment and are optimistic it will prove to be similarly effective in treating people whose condition hasn't improved with medication, talk therapy, or other forms of electromagnetic stimulation.
Want To Better Cope With Your Depression? Read This
Depression can sometimes seem like a very hard thing to start to get out of. The thing about depression is that you have to start somewhere, and you're doing that by being on this page. When it comes to depression you have to take those little and big steps that can help you get your mind in the right place, so take some time to read and digest the information in this article that can help you during your depression.
It is important to remember that no one is perfect. Many people who suffer from depression started the downward spiral because of thinking that just because they do not always do or say the right thing, there is something wrong with them. Focus on the qualities about yourself that you and everyone else admires. Yes, focus on your good points and use these to form a positive opinion of your overall self. This simple step can help you on the road to recovery.
If your income is low and you are suffering from depression, try and find free or low-cost social services that can help you. Local governments offer community counseling services to those with low incomes, especially those people who qualify for Medicaid. These community counseling centers can also provide free samples of medication for those who can't afford to fill a prescription.
Increase the amounts of foods you eat that help your body produce serotonin, such as fish. Serotonin is a neurochemical that your body uses to improve your body. Many medications act to increase the amount of serotonin in your brain, but you can create this effect naturally by changing your diet.
Depression is something we all have faced at some point. If you are having bouts with depression you should see a psychologist. Often times, they can identify a problem in your way of thinking and work to reform it. In this way, the cause is treated and not just the symptoms.
In addition to a healthy diet you should also invest in starting some kind of exercise that you enjoy. This can be something as simple as regular walks or even something as organized as a team sport. This will help you to feel better physically and will probably have effects on your mental life as well.
It is important for people who suffer from Depression to re-examine their priorities and adjust their expectations. Depressed people often falsely believe that they cannot be happy in life without certain things, such as material possessions, higher wealth and income, or a certain romantic partner. Changing negative thinking patterns and learning acceptance is a great way to improve quality of life.
Continue doing your everyday routines even if you do not feel like participating in these mundane tasks. It is important to stay in control of your life. Try to live like normal and keep doing the things that are familiar to you. If you stop doing these activities, it will be much harder to rise out of the depression and start doing them again.
You aren't nuts! Depression is an illness that is just as treatable as any physical disease. Your body is telling you something is wrong. It may be an unresolved emotional issue or your brain is suffering from a chemical imbalance. Depression is your body's way of telling you that it is becoming overwhelmed and needs help.
When you feel depressed, do not alienate your friends. Being around those you care about and love will reduce your depression, even if it is only for a short time. If you calendar is flush with social activities, you're not likely to be frequently depressed.
You always want to try and minimize stress when you are battling depression. Not only will your depression be prolonged because of the stress, but it will also be made worse. Examine what is happening in your life, and then determine what it is that is causing you stress. When you have identified your stressors, you will be better able to address them and here minimize them, or even conquer them.
If you find yourself in a depressive state, a great tip to use is to maintain a proper diet. Eat at least three square meals daily to keep your health up. Depression will often instigate a reduction in appetite, but if you fail to eat three healthy meals you will be contributing to the loss in energy and motivation. Not getting enough nutrients and calories means that your body can't function. Eating meals regularly helps your body get the energy it requires.
Get exercise. Activity can be very therapeutic, so having a regular exercise schedules can make your life happier and healthier. Learning to enjoy your exercise and having a healthy life will cause you to increase your positive moods. Having proper nutrition can also keep your health and happiness on a high note.
As you have seen, depression treatments, while various, share many fundamentals. They just vary in terms of techniques, medications, therapies, and costs. All it takes to decide between them is some research and some advice from your physician. The sooner that you begin to seek treatment, the sooner you can start feeling better.