VNS (vagus nerve stimulation). VNS is FDA-approved for the long-term treatment of chronic depression that doesn't respond to at least two antidepressants. Its effects may take up to 9 months to appear, and studies have shown that a meaningful response seems to occur only in about 1 in 3 people.
Improvements in Brain Stimulation
Electroconvulsive therapy has been around for more than 70 years. It remains one of the most effective ways to manage major depressive disorder, especially if you don't respond to other treatments. While it isn't new, scientists have fine-tuned the procedure over the past decades.
Depression creates a sensation of isolation as if you are lost in the wilderness with no direction. The final stage is acceptance, which means you have finally made peace with the reality of your mental illness.
Along with therapy and sometimes medication, there's a lot you can do on your own to fight back. Changing your behavior -- your physical activity, lifestyle, and even your way of thinking -- are all natural depression treatments.
These medications and lifestyle changes are treatments for diabetes. Depression is the same way. There's no cure for depression, but there are lots of effective treatments. People can recover from depression and live long and healthy lives.
Clinical depression is a chronic condition, but it usually occurs in episodes, which can last several weeks or months. You'll likely have more than one episode in your lifetime. This is different from persistent depressive disorder, which is mild or moderate depression that lasts for at least two years.
Persistent depressive disorder is a continuous, long-term form of depression. You may feel sad and empty, lose interest in daily activities and have trouble getting things done. You may also have low self-esteem, feel like a failure and feel hopeless.
Many people who experience depression will fully recover. Many others will find some level of relief from their symptoms. There is no quick fix for depression, but there is great hope for healing. The fight is worth it – the capacity to flourish in life after depression is there.
Usually, the depressive episode length ranges from six months to eight months, depending on the person. While some people may have depression that fades, others may struggle with depression on and off their whole life. Also, different types of depression go away with time and are more short-lived by nature.
Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.
Suicidal ideation or self-harm
Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or death is often the most serious stage and symptom of depression.
The five stages are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
This form of therapy is considered by many to be the gold standard in depression treatment.
While people with depression can experience severe lows at any point during the day, many experience worse symptoms in the morning. When this happens, a person may find their energy and motivation is so low that even the act of getting out of bed early in the day feels impossible.
DEPRESSIONAfter bargaining, our attention moves squarely into the present. Empty feelings present themselves, and grief enters our lives on a deeper level, deeper than we ever imagined. This depressive stage feels as though it will last forever.
Stressful Life Events
The death of a loved one, loss of a job, end of a friendship, or separation from a romantic partner are all stressful life events that can trigger depression relapse, research shows.
There's growing evidence that several parts of the brain shrink in people with depression. Specifically, these areas lose gray matter volume (GMV). That's tissue with a lot of brain cells. GMV loss seems to be higher in people who have regular or ongoing depression with serious symptoms.
What is dysthymia? Dysthymia is a milder, but long-lasting form of depression. It's also called persistent depressive disorder. People with this condition may also have bouts of major depression at times.
People who are depressed cannot simply “pull themselves together” and be cured. Without proper treatment, including antidepressants and/or psychotherapy, untreated clinical depression can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with depression.