Understanding the Rising Tide of Depression and Treatment Gaps
Written on
The Silent Epidemic
Depression is increasingly recognized as a pervasive issue, often referred to as society's quiet killer. Despite notable improvements in the conversation surrounding mental health over the past twenty years, the reality remains grim.
Globally, around 300 to 400 million individuals are affected by depression, representing about 3.8% to 5% of the population, depending on the source. Alarmingly, approximately 700,000 of these individuals die by suicide each year, making it the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds, as reported by the World Health Organization.
Researchers are making significant strides in understanding the neurological, physical, and even spiritual ramifications of depression. Yet, for those who endure it, depression feels like relentless torment — an insidious force that permeates every facet of life.
Current Treatment Flaws
Recent insights from Otsuka America Pharmaceutical and Scientific American highlight a critical flaw in contemporary depression treatment: the oversimplification of diagnostic criteria.
“It’s great that our treatments work as well as they do for these very different kinds of people,” states Conor Liston, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at Weill Cornell Medicine, in an interview with SciAm. “But they don’t work for everybody.”
The existing practice guidelines do not adequately differentiate patients beyond the severity of their conditions, leaving many without effective treatment options.
Advancements in Treatment Approaches
With the advent of advanced brain imaging techniques, such as Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), healthcare professionals can now more effectively address a broader range of depressive symptoms.
Research indicates that individuals with depression exhibit different neuronal activity in their brains compared to those who are not affected. This difference can be visualized through fMRI, providing insights into how depression alters brain circuitry.
Understanding these patterns may facilitate the identification of various "biotypes" of depression, leading to more personalized treatment strategies that better match patients with suitable therapies.
Utilizing fMRI alongside customized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and, in severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) presents a promising avenue for treating depression.
“These new tools and technologies are transforming how we do science in this area and are allowing us to ask questions that would have seemed like science fiction not that long ago,” adds Liston.
However, even the most knowledgeable experts in psychology and psychiatry concur that treating depression often involves a process of trial and error, which can leave many patients untreated.
Alternative Treatments for Depression
Traditional pharmaceutical treatments for depression, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can lead to a wide array of undesirable side effects. According to the NHS, these can include bruising, suicidal thoughts, weight gain, and loss of libido, among others.
Ironically, substances that were once vilified, such as psilocybin, ketamine, LSD, and cannabis, may hold significant promise for treating depression — a field of study that is just beginning to gain traction.
Recent findings from researchers at UC San Francisco and Imperial College London indicate that psilocybin enhances connectivity between different brain regions in individuals suffering from depression, effectively liberating them from entrenched patterns of negative thinking.
“For the first time, we find that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants — promoting a more flexible and fluid brain state, less caught in the negative thought cycles associated with depression,” explains David Nutt, head of the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research.
Ketamine, known as a dissociative anesthetic and sometimes used recreationally, has shown strong — albeit temporary — antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects after just one intravenous infusion.
“The transformative nature of the antidepressant response linked to IV ketamine and intranasal esketamine underscores the significance of this innovative addition to the treatment options for treatment-resistant depression (TRD),” asserts researchers.
Ketamine therapy has also demonstrated remarkable efficacy for PTSD sufferers, particularly among veterans. While more contentious, LSD therapy has shown promising results for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD symptoms.
Conclusion
It is highly probable that you or someone you know will experience depressive symptoms at some point, whether mild or severe. Understanding the available treatment options and determining the most appropriate ones for your situation can significantly reduce years of suffering.
Education and open dialogue are vital in combating this silent epidemic. If you or someone you care about is struggling, do not hesitate to seek help! Feel free to reach out to us on Instagram; we respond to all inquiries.
Peace and love.
If you found this article helpful, consider subscribing to Medium Premium for just $5 a month to access unlimited content and support independent journalism.
Chapter 2: The Impact of Depression on Young People
The first video discusses the alarming rise of depression among young individuals and highlights potential solutions.
Chapter 3: Exploring Alternative Approaches to Treatment
The second video explores the increasing rates of depression in children and offers insights on effective interventions.