Depression is something many young adults know all too well; according to the CDC, 21.5% of adults ages 18 to 24 have depression. Despite this staggering number, there is hope to be found in recent research that continues to discover non-invasive techniques for treating depressive symptoms. One of these techniques is known as savoring, which can be defined as the capacity “to attend, to appreciate, and enhance the positive experiences in one’s life” (Silton). Such a technique has been found in various studies to increase positive affect and decrease negative affect among those who are depressed.
Other studies have provided hope in reducing depressive symptoms among individuals using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Commonly known as TMS, it involves the usage of a coil to produce small magnetic pulses in the brain. According to the article “TMS Proves Long-Term Relief for Depression,” a new clinical trial that was tested in five centers across England found that the usage of TMS along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuronavigation led to significantly improved depression and anxiety symptoms in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Those with TRD have been treated with antidepressants and therapy but unfortunately have not improved in their symptoms.
Unlike previous studies using TMS to treat depression, MRIs were used to personalize the site of stimulation to ensure the pulse was focused on the relevant area causing depressive symptoms in the subject. Additionally, neuronavigation -- a computerized tracking system that uses light to deliver the TMS -- precisely targeted the area of simulation to ensure it remained the same in subjects during all twenty treatment sessions.
It seems this modified method of application of TMS was very successful compared to previous studies since previous ones using TMS to treat depression showed improvements lasting only one to three months. This study, on the other hand, showed improvement of symptoms for up to six months in individuals. Over two-thirds of participants showed a response to this treatment and one-third showed up to a 50% improvement in their symptoms. Amazingly, 20% of participants achieved sustained remission following the study.
The results of this study are groundbreaking for those with depression, and more specifically, those with TRD. If this kind of TMS usage is effective in reducing depression for up to six months in individuals, those with TRD would only need to do the treatment about twice a year to remain mentally well and free from depressive symptoms. Since TMS is non-invasive and has relatively minor side effects, it seems like it is becoming more and more of a promising avenue for those with depression.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, June 15). National, state-level, and county-level prevalence estimates of adults aged ≥18 years self-reporting a lifetime diagnosis of Depression - United States, 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7224a1.htm#:~:text=Age%2Dspecific%20prevalence%20of%20depression,≥65%20years%20(14.2%25).
Neuroscience News. (2024, January 16). TMS proves long-term relief for Depression. https://neurosciencenews.com/tms-depression-25469/
Silton, R. L., Kahrilas, I. J., Skymba, H. V., Smith, J., Bryant, F. B., & Heller, W. (2020). Regulating positive emotions: Implications for promoting well-being in individuals with depression. Emotion, 20(1), 93–97. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000675
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