The FDA got it right when they approved TMS therapy for adolescent depression (kids aged 15 and older). TMS is one of the most effective treatments for resistant depression. The decision to approve this treatment for kids is an absolute game-changer and will save many young lives. This article describes the dramatic impact of the FDA’s approval and covers research that shows TMS for kids to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective.
Read MorePremenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) sounds a lot like Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), but is a far more extreme condition than PMS. If you have PMDD or know someone who does, the good news is that there are treatments that work.
Read MoreSome medications are not friendly to your thyroid gland. You would expect that all doctors would be well-informed of the most likely culprits. So, how did Seroquel (quetiapine) slip through the cracks? This article takes a look at Seroquel (quetiapine) – one of the biggest troublemakers of thyroid function – and what can you do to protect yourself and the people you care about.
Read MoreWhile antidepressants often save lives, they can also result in very serious emotional and physical side effects from missed doses, reduced doses, or abrupt stopping. This article talks about the rarely discussed risk of acute depressive symptoms and the more widely known physical symptoms of serotonin withdrawal from switching or stopping your antidepressant medication.
Read MoreEven though depression rates for youth are rising, the FDA has only approved a few treatments for adolescent depression and has not yet approved TMS for adolescent depression. This article describes TMS for adolescents and covers research that shows TMS for kids to be safe, feasible, and likely effective.
Read MoreWhile some people can change their habits through sheer willpower, many people need a source of motivation or energy to make meaningful change. This is especially true for people who experience depression. This article discusses depressive habits and strategies for changing them so that treatment for depression can be more effective and durable.
Read MoreTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is one of the newest and most effective treatments for major depression, especially treatment-resistant depression. This article reviews recent research that supports Stanford’s revolutionary approach, which may improve the effectiveness and accessibility of TMS for depression.
Read MoreVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been available for decades for the treatment of seizures and more recently for the treatment of depression. This article explains the theory behind how VNS works, its outcomes for bipolar and unipolar depression and the potential downsides of the treatment.
Read MoreMany people are not told what to expect when prescribed an antidepressant medication. Basic information, such as the dosing range, the goal of treatment, how side effects can be overcome and how long to stay on the medication, is frequently left out of a clinical encounter. This article outlines a methodical approach to antidepressant treatment for depression.
Read MoreMany people with longstanding depression believe that they have tried every treatment out there. A detailed review of their history often reveals that they are mistaken and that there are several strategies that they have never tried. This article addresses what information is needed to make a well-informed decision about what treatment to try next and how a history of past treatments combined with a strategic, methodical approach can open up options to newer and potentially more effective treatments.
Read MoreWhen depression hits, it’s nice when the first treatment that you try works. On the other hand, depression that gets partially better only to worsen again is frustrating and demoralizing. Having a plan for treatment-resistant depression will get you better faster. This article outlines basic steps that are part of a larger plan for getting rid of your depression.
Read MoreIt has been definitively proven that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression. The researchers in the Stanford SAINT study achieved better results in a shorter time, getting 90.5% of severely depressed patients to full freedom from depression.
Read MoreIt is important to know that medical conditions can cause depression or mimic the symptoms of depression. While dozens of medical conditions can contribute to depression, this article covers 10 of the most common. Knowing what these conditions are and screening for them can ensure better treatment and a speedier recovery.
Read MoreFinding a good psychiatrist can be difficult and stressful. It's hard to know if online ratings are of any use or who can tell you who the good doctors are in your community. If you desire the best treatment, read this article on finding excellent psychiatric care and medication management as well as psychiatrist red flags to watch for.
Read MoreHow advanced and reliable is pharmacogenetic testing? Can genetic testing tell you your psychiatric diagnosis or tell you what medications will work for you? Read this article to learn more about genetic testing for psychiatric medications and a trick your doctor might not know.
Read MoreTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is the most exciting and promising development in the treatment of depression in the past 30 years. The effectiveness of TMS, a novel treatment that works when traditional treatments fail, is quickly establishing this therapy as the most important development since the discovery of Prozac for depression.
Read MoreSome of the most exciting research on the neuroscience of depression has come about in the last 10 years. We have new models of depression that look at the activity of different regions of the brain as well as changes in neural circuitry which are present in depression. A better understanding of depression is already leading to more effective treatment.
Read MoreMental health stigma exists. Many people fear labels or how they will be viewed if those labels are applied to them. It's a real concern, but things are getting better. Consider the 2018 changes at a national level in the US allowing for treatment of symptoms rather than classified psychiatric diagnoses. That's one step in the right direction. Mental health parity is the next step needed.
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