D29 – 4.3 Other Treatments for TRD

Other Treatments for TRD

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
  • Given under anesthesia.
  • Electric impulses pass through the brain and induce a brief seizure. This activity is theorized to activate the brain and brain chemicals in a way they relieve depression.
  • Commonly used for severe major depressive disorder that has not responded to other treatments.
  • Substantial improvement in about 80% of patients.

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  • Uses a magnetic field to stimulate the nerves in the brain.
  • It is noninvasive.
  • FDA approved from depression that has not responded to 1 prior medication trial.
  • Improvement noted in about 60% of patients.

(American Psychiatric Association, 2019; Carlat & Puzantian, 2020)