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Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
91–100 of 339 posts
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#92I'm surprised nobody's linked to the recent time this was on HN [1]. Having tried TMS pretty extensively, I do not think this will help me, but I am hopeful that it might prove useful for others. [1] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29562785
Which machines did you use for your rTMS? Or did you do something besides rTMS of the clinically available noninvasive types[1]?
[1] https://www.uptodate.com/contents/unipolar-depression-in-adu...
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#93I wonder what the underlying mechanism is. With the prevalence of magnetic fields in everyday life, I wonder if these could be affecting people negatively from prolonged exposure at lower doses or frequency.
It has no impact thanks to the inverse square law. This is a much stronger field, very close to the brain, done in a targeted way.
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#94Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is a great comment. I've always been a little uncomfortable with the thought of this magnetic treatment in a way I couldn't put into words and this nails it. I'm willing to trust, perhaps naively, that everyone is getting the same Prozac tablets. But how does the skill of the practitioner and maintenance of their magnetic treatment device affect outcomes? It's almost like a surgery, but I'm not sure who's actual…
Do you have the same feelings about radiation therapy for cancer?
No, it's a very different situation since radiation therapy has such a long history at this point.
I'm just not sure what the margin for error is, the failure modes for this magnetic therapy, or what makes a good magnetic therapist.
Not a reason to stop developing it though.
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#95How can I duplicate this at home?
First you'll need an fMRI machine.
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#96“I don’t procrastinate anymore,” he added. “I’m sleeping better. I completely quit alcohol. I’m walking my dog and playing the guitar again, for nothing more than the sheer joy of it.” Most importantly, he said, “I’m remaining positive and being respectful of others. These are big changes in my life.” Serious question: are these typical signs of depression? Now I'm wondering if I have depression.
Yes - those things are closely related to some of the diagnostic criteria used by some of the tests for depression. The remission of those symptoms is a quite a good signal all by itself.
See for example https://www.medscape.com/answers/286759-14692/what-are-the-d...
And consider “ Diminished interest or loss of pleasure in almost all activities (anhedonia) “
— his ability to enjoy guitar for its own sake is a great sign.
And “ Sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia) “
…he addresses that directly.
But the presence of those symptoms doesn’t by itself mean that a major depressive episode is the best or only diagnosis.
But having some of those symptoms is enough to indicate you should talk to a medical professional, as they are very troubling symptoms.
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#97“I don’t procrastinate anymore,” he added. “I’m sleeping better. I completely quit alcohol. I’m walking my dog and playing the guitar again, for nothing more than the sheer joy of it.” Most importantly, he said, “I’m remaining positive and being respectful of others. These are big changes in my life.” Serious question: are these typical signs of depression? Now I'm wondering if I have depression.
Yes. When you have depression you get basically nothing done. Even things that used to be fun aren’t fun anymore. You are miserable if you do something or nothing.
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#98“I don’t procrastinate anymore,” he added. “I’m sleeping better. I completely quit alcohol. I’m walking my dog and playing the guitar again, for nothing more than the sheer joy of it.” Most importantly, he said, “I’m remaining positive and being respectful of others. These are big changes in my life.” Serious question: are these typical signs of depression? Now I'm wondering if I have depression.
If you feel persistently low, tired, unhappy, or unable to do things then it's a real possibility. The PHQ-9 is a pretty standard depression screening questionnaire that you can complete in a minute or two. https://www.mdcalc.com/phq-9-patient-health-questionnaire-9
as someone with mental health issues going through a rather prolonged and winding down period, i’ve taken this before. just got my high score!
going to bring this up with my therapist tomorrow
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#99There was a good piece on 60 Minutes about this type of treatment. It looked very promising for those looking to get more information about it.
Re: Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
#100Earlier quoted context omitted.
> environmental factors Actually being depressed can worsen environmental factors. Depression can make it hard (or impossible) to maintain work, relationships, hygiene, sleep, diet, and exercise. Losing the things can make the depression worse.
Yeah I know - it's a vicious cycle. I meant in cases where the depression trigger was an event like a death in the family, but where the person managed to keep it together despite their depression. In those fortunate cases, the only problem that needs solving is the person being "stuck" on a trauma - not a self perpetuating cycle.
What you're describing sounds more like grief than depression. While the profound sadness that comes from loss can certainly manifest itself in ways that seem like depression, they are not the same thing.