New guidelines for depression treatment: ECT OK, longterm antidepressants acceptable

[Elmore Furth]

There has been an impression of electroconvulsive therapy for depression as barbaric, popularized by 'One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest' but the American Psychiatric Association is rehabilitating the practice.

And not withstanding Tom Cruise's criticisms of psychotropic medications for depression, the APA also is suggesting in some patients, chronic antidepressant therapy may be indicated.

The American Psychiatric Assn., which labored to bring forth a revision of psychiatry’s “Bible” earlier this year, has just released a more modest opus likely to generate much discussion among mental health professionals.

With the release on Friday of its “Practice Guideline for Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder,” the nation’s leading psychiatric association makes a number of subtle adjustments to its past treatises on depression and its treatment. The new guideline is the first comprehensive update of the organization's guidelines for depression treatment since 2000.

For starters, the APA throws its considerable weight behind the rehabilitation of electro-convulsive therapy (a.k.a. “shock therapy”) as an effective recourse for those who fail to respond to antidepressant treatment.

The practice guideline ventures to say that for many patients with chronic or recurrent episodes of depression, “maintenance therapy”—including antidepressant medication and possibly ongoing psychotherapy—may need to continue “indefinitely.”

Psychiatrists change their recommendations for depression's treatment

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

1. ECT and continual use of anti-depressants are both good things in their place

Ironically, for major depressive disorder ECT can be more effective and safer than drug therapies.

Not for everyone, but it is good to lift the stigma. Modern ECT is not the horror show 1950s electro-shcok was.

[DCKit]

2. Shock therapy for PTSD, Phychopathy and all the other issues we're going to face...

with the return of our damaged troops.

Sorry folks, not enough electricity on the grid to fix that shit.

[notesdev]

3. Pharma scores!

Long term antidepressant use is so much more profitable than actually curing anyone!

[davidinalameda]

4. you do realize

that depression is not necessarily curable

treatable yes but not curable

I've suffered from it most of my life

unless you know something I don't, don't say that depression is curable

[Elmore Furth]

5. Sometimes all you can do is manage symptoms to allow normal function

Just as you can't cure arthritis, diabetes or some cancers, decreasing the suffering and disability from depression may be the best you can do.

[davidinalameda]

7. thank you

:pals:

[notesdev]

6. I do

However, all the financial incentives are geared towards putting those who can be cured onto long term maintenance plans instead. Which means a lot of people are getting drugged up when they have the ability with a correct treatment to normalize. Depression can be cured in some individuals through changes to their environment and circumstances.

[tinrobot]

11. I suffered from depression for over 20 years

I used almost every antidepressant known to man. Most worked, but only to a point. The depression always came back, often with a vengeance. I finally ditched the meds and made some major lifestyle and cognitive changes. It was not easy, but the depression finally left and hasn't come back.

I deeply understand what depression can do to a person, so I'm not trying to lecture you or diminish your suffering. If you need the meds, then by all means, use them. They can be life savers. Just don't buy into the pharma company hype that depression is something that can't be cured.

[Odin2005]

9. How do you "cure" my anxiety and OCD, pray tell?

[laconicsax]

10. Supplements, homeopathic remedies, etc.

If they don't cure you, it's your fault.

[tinrobot]

12. He can't 'cure' your anxiety and OCD

Only you can do that.

[Odin2005]

8. Anti-Depressants are good, electroshock "therapy" is evil and barbaric and should be banned.