TREATMENT:
MISCELLANEOUS
There
are a number of other treatments for depression that have
not yet been discussed. Though we don't go into detail on
this options, suffice it to say that some are just as effective
in the successful treatment of depression as are medication
and counseling. The more common and beneficial interventions
include mind/body techniques including meditation, relaxation
response, biofeedback, yoga, and tai chi. Regular aerobic
exercise is also thought to help in the prevention and treatment
of mild depression.
Many
naturopaths and holistic practitioners use less conventional
treatments including aromatherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture,
reflexology, and others. Western medicine does not accept
these treatments as adequate since there are limited, if
any, clinical studies that show a benefit over placebo.
Given the significant potential for serious illness and
even death (e.g., suicide) resulting from unsuccessfully
treated depression, we recommend these treatments be used
only in conjunction with medication and traditional counseling
until such time that adequate studies show a clinical benefit.
At
the other end of the spectrum is electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT). ECT has been shown in multiple studies to be quite
effective in the treatment of resistant depression, or in
patients unable to tolerate standard antidepressants. ECT
is done by passing an 80 volt electric shock through electrodes
on the patient's head which resale in an electrical current
throughout the brain. Despite the barbaric sounding nature
of this procedure, the shock is not felt by the patient,
who is under general anesthesia. This technique is probably
as effective - if not more so - than many oral medications.
It is unclear why ECT is effective; it is believed to work
by essentially "rebooting" the depression centers of the
brain. Believe it or not, ECT is quite safe and should be
seriously considered in those with severe depression resistant
to the techniques discussed above or those unable to adequately
try other treatments (e.g., severely suicidal patients).
It is usually administered three times a week for two weeks.
