Infographics: The Truth About Depression

And Alternative Treatments That Really Work

Everyone feels sad at some point, but major depressive disorder (MDD) and other forms of depression are more than just feeling down. Depression causes persistent, long-lasting symptoms that can make even the most mundane tasks extremely difficult. Depression affects over 300 million people around the world, yet many don’t understand exactly what it is.

What Is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness and disinterest, and it can interfere with a person’s ability to live a normal life. Some symptoms of depression include:

• Anger and irritability
• Changes in appetite
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Feelings of guilt
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Fatigue
• Changes in sleep habits
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Gastrointestinal (G.I.) issues

Someone with depression may not have all of these symptoms. In fact, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM—5), a person only has to experience five symptoms, including loss of interest or depressed mood, to be diagnosed with depression.

Types of Depression

Depression also comes in many different forms, including:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Postpartum depression

Other disorders like anxiety and bipolar can also cause symptoms of depression, which is why it is so important to seek a professional opinion. A licensed psychiatrist can evaluate your symptoms, provide you with an accurate diagnosis, and recommend a treatment plan based on your needs.

How Is Depression Treated?

There are many different treatment options available for depression, including medication. Unfortunately, medication may cause adverse side effects. And up to 40% of people with depression don’t respond to medication.

If your depression doesn’t respond to traditional treatments like medication, then you may have what’s known as treatment-resistant depression. Luckily, there are alternati ve methods that have been known to combat difficult-to-treat cases.

TMS

One option for treatment-resistant depression is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment method for major depression and OCD. TMS uses a magnet, similar to an MRI magnet, to stimulate areas deep within the brain that are affected by depression.

Many psychiatrists also prescribe TMS as an off-label treatment for anxiety, bipolar, eating disorders, addiction, and other conditions.

Ketamine

Ketamine is another treatment option for difficult-to-treat depression. It was originally used as an anesthetic, but in more recent years, doctors have prescribed it as an off-label treatment for conditions like depression, PTSD, bipolar, eating disorders, addiction, and others.

To treat depression and other conditions, ketamine is administered in a very low dose through an IV. Because such a low dose is given, patients generally don’t experience things like hallucinations or a bad trip.

Ketamine works very quickly to relieve the symptoms of depression. Some patients may feel relief in as little as four hours. But the recommended course of ketamine treatment is six infusions administered within a two-week period.

Serenity Mental Health Centers offers TMS and Ketamine treatments as well as traditional medication management so that we can provide our patients with exactly what they need to treat their symptoms. If you’re interested in alternative treatments for depression, contact us to schedu le an appointment today.