Less common approaches.
Many less commonly used antidepressant therapies are supported by anecdotal evidence only. They include light therapy (non-seasonal affective disorder), high-dose TCA or MAOI therapy (only if serum levels can be monitored), intravenous clomipramine or maprotiline (allows for rapid perfusion, avoids first pass liver metabolism), bromocriptine, high-dose selegiline, and psychosurgery. Modern stereotaxic psychosurgical procedures offer symptom relief with minimal risk, and reports of large trials indicate that up to 60% of truly treatment-resistant patients either recover or are considerably improved.
Absolute treatment resistance
Very few patients show absolute treatment resistance. In specialized clinics, only about 7% of patients remain depressed after 1 year of extensive investigations and treatment. Extensive treatment involves many drug trials singly and in combination as well as one or more courses of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Patients with absolute treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are older (mean age about 55), have been depressed longer, and usually have insoluble life problems.
Even patients with absolute TRD can be helped. Antidepressants often give some relief, and carefully prescribed psychostimulants can improve mood and psychoenergize.
Supportive psychotherapy and CBT can also be of benefit. Supportive psychotherapy helps depressed patients to carry on and CBT allows patients to view the world more positively. Regular exercise and reduction of alcohol consumption also help.
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Hello, everybody, who is interested to be healthy. My name is Kelly. I learnt about depression by my own experience. Now I am ok. Here I want to share my thoughts and ideas how to treat depression symptoms.