If you or someone you care about is struggling with depression, there are non-medication options available that could potentially aid in their recovery and restore their sense of self. Although cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are commonly used to treat depression, they may not be effective for everyone. As a result, researchers are exploring new developments to offer alternative therapies. Here, professionals discuss devices that could potentially alleviate depression.
Light Therapy
According to Lisa A. Howell, a clinical health psychologist, light therapy could be a beneficial treatment for individuals experiencing negative mood symptoms during the fall and winter months. This includes those with mild depressive symptoms or a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to her, it can also provide assistance in managing jet lag, sleep disturbances, adapting to a nighttime work schedule, and potentially benefiting individuals with specific forms of dementia.
“The light box stimulates the production of chemicals in the brain that promote happiness, similar to the effects of sunlight,” explains Susan Heitler, PhD, author of Depression: A Disorder of Power.
Make it a habit to sit in front of the light box every morning to maximize the advantages without disrupting your sleep. It is possible to experience improvement within just two days, although it may also take up to three weeks of use for symptoms to be alleviated. These light boxes are commonly available in stores or through online retailers. It is important to consult with a medical professional before considering the use of a light box, particularly if you have a pre-existing condition or are taking medication that may increase sensitivity to light, have a history of skin cancer, or have an eye condition.
Read Also: Exploring Nutritional Consequences of Popular Gluten-Free Diets
Stimulation Therapies
If you’re dealing with severe depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or other mental disorders that haven’t responded to conventional treatments, brain stimulation therapies could be a potential option for you. These therapies directly stimulate the brain using electricity, magnets, or implants, and would be administered by a medical professional. Electroconvulsive therapy is a highly researched stimulation therapy with a long-standing history of use. Some of the newer, more experimental therapies that doctors may discuss with patients include magnetic seizure therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), vagus nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation.
Electro Stimulator Devices
If you’re experiencing mild depression symptoms and prefer the convenience of self-administered treatments, electro stimulator devices could be a suitable option for you. According to Heitler, these devices can stimulate the brain to increase the production of natural happy chemicals in the body. Introducing the latest FDA-approved device, the Fisher Wallace Stimulator. This remarkable device allows you to conveniently use it in the comfort of your own home. Just dedicate 20 minutes, twice a day, and experience a reduction or even elimination of depression symptoms in approximately two weeks. This handheld device resembles a remote control and is available for purchase with a prescription at a cost of $595. Alternatively, it can be rented for $195 per month. According to Heitler, these devices have the ability to stimulate the body to naturally produce a wide range of chemicals, such as serotonin, rather than simply providing an increase in one specific chemical like pills do. This natural approach is generally considered to be more beneficial. A significant percentage of individuals experience positive effects from electrical stimulation, ranging from 70 to 86 percent.
Helmet Therapy
Helmet therapy is a treatment currently undergoing clinical trials and being tested on patients with treatment-resistant depression. A helmet was used to deliver electro-magnetic pulses to the brains of 65 depression patients in Denmark and New Zealand. These patients were able to administer the treatment in the comfort of their own homes. A remarkable two-thirds of the study participants who utilized the helmet experienced a complete disappearance of their symptoms, with noticeable improvements in mood observed within a week. During an interview on BBC, professor Steen Dissing, from Copenhagen University, explained how the helmet stimulates the brain using electrical pulses that have an impact on the small capillaries, the tiny blood vessels in the brain. Further research and trials are necessary before this device can be made available to the public. However, the potential of this technology to revolutionize treatments for various forms of depression is promising.
According to Heitler, there could be an upcoming shift due to the promising nature of these depression devices. “They lack the negative effects commonly found in antidepressants, such as weight gain, decreased sexual desire, and emotional numbness.”
