• neaptide@lemmy.world
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    4 hours ago

    There actually are other options for treatment-resistant depression, which is defined as depression that has little or no response to standard treatments like antidepressants.

    • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): uses magnetic currents to stimulate the brain while awake, typically provided 5x per week for 6 weeks (although there are now newer protocols that are much shorter in duration)
    • Ketamine: a general anesthetic drug typically provided via a nose spray 1-2 times per week for 8 weeks
    • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): uses electricity to induce a small seizure in the brain under sedation, typically provided 2-3 times per week for 3-4 weeks

    Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/treatment-resistant-depression/art-20044324

    I try to spread the word about these treatments when I can because TMS helped me immensely after trying just about every antidepressant out there with no luck.