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.
Depression Pointers That Everyone Needs To Read And Understand
When it comes time for you to to start seeking treatment for your depression, you may wonder where to begin. There are so many things to consider when deciding which route to take to start feeling better. The tips in this article can provide you with what you need to know so that you can start discussing treatment with your doctor.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. Many people keep their problems and emotions all bottled up inside them. Obviously, this is not a healthy thing to do. Instead, you should reach out to a friend or family member. If you have no one who is close, seek out a professional.
Go back to activities you used to enjoy, even if you don't feel like it. Going through the motions of a fun activity, such as painting or playing a sport, can help you feel more energetic. You might find that are truly enjoying the activity after all, once you get started.
Become more physically active. A healthy body is a necessity for a healthy mind. In addition to the obvious health benefits, exercising releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It is these chemicals that give rise to the term "runner's high". It is a natural high, one that is safe and even healthy to become addicted to!
The best way to beat depression and kick the blues is to become active and exercise. It is not a quick fix to the problem of depression but it is an ongoing way to make life better and gives you something to look forward too tomorrow. Not only does it release stress, but it makes a person feel better about themselves and gives you some control over your life.
Stop the bad and negative behavior when you are with others. Crying, complaining, and talking about your problems will elicit sympathy from your friends and family, but this sympathy also maintains the depressive behavior. Change the behavior and receive the rewards.
Beware, although alcohol can feel like your best friend when you are fighting depression it actually may just be your enabler. If you feel yourself drawn to alcohol in your hardest moments - then you should avoid it completely! Alcohol and depression are very close cousins and love to team up on the unsuspecting!
Whether you have clinical depression or just routine sadness, you should be in contact with a professional. They can provide you with a more specific diagnosis, and advise you of any course of action you should take to manage the depression. They can also let you know the kind of depression you suffer from.
Keep your mind active through puzzles, games, and other challenges. The more time you leave yourself idle, the more time you'll have to dwell on negativity. If you keep busy, you'll feel more accomplished, and you won't be spending your days thinking about everything that's gone wrong. Focus on positive, uplifting activities at which you can be successful.
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.
Depression comes in all shapes and sizes. The first thing to realize about depression is that if you have it, you don't need to be ashamed of it. Seeking out professional help should never make you feel like a failure or a weak person. It takes a strong individual to realize and accept that they need help.
If you are feeling depressed, there is no better way to combat those thoughts than to dance. This will get your body moving and get the blood flowing through your body and to your brain. Although when depressed exercise is not appealing, get up and force yourself to dance. Play happy uplifting music and stretch those muscle and move. Your body, soul, and mind will be happier for it.
Get exercise. Activity can be very therapeutic, so having a regular exercise schedules can here 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 previously stated, there are many causes of depression. However, utilizing the advice you learned in this article can help you figure out the cause of your depression, and get back on the path to happiness.