Depression > FDA Approves New Therapy for Depression

FDA Approves New Therapy for Depression

On July 18, 2005, the FDA approved vagus nerve stimulation therapy as a treatment for chronic depression. This is the first ever FDA-approved long term treatment option for sufferers of treatment-resistant depression(TRD). Over four million Americans suffer from TRD. I was a study patient in the investigational clinical trial of vagus nerve stimulation and depression.Just over four years ago, I sat in the Psychiatrist's office at the study site (there were 20 different sites around the United States) that was conducting the investigational clinical trial for vagus nerve stimulation as a therapy for chronic or treatment-resistant depression. I had found about the study completely by accident.

I was desperate (not suicidal). I had gone through the merry-go-around of all available antidepressants/antidepressants combinations, ECT, psychotherapy, etc. I was tired and worn out from living in utter despair. I had never heard of the vagus nerve (it is the longest nerve in the body, averaging 25 inches in length, passes through the neck and thorax into the abdomen). There were no patient educational materials or anything in the medical literature about vagus nerve stimulation and depression for me to review.

The doctor explained to me the procedure, described my obligations as a study subject and that the study was a double-blind, place-controlled study. Because it was a placebo-controlled study, it meant that I had only a 50% chance of having the device activated, after being implanted, during the acute part of the study (which could last up to six months). I had just two questions: 1) was the procedure safe? and 2) was the procedure related to ECT? Since ECT was not effective for me and was a horrible experience, I didn't want to go through anything like that again. The doctor assured me of the safety of the implant and that it was not in any way related to ECT. I signed various legal papers including an 11-page consent form.

I had nothing to lose. Three and a half months later I was approved to be included in the study and implanted with the VNS Therapy System?. The rest, as they say, is history. I have never been told when the device was activated or ramped up to higher levels of stimulation. Even today, I have no idea of the current level of the device settings.

At some point after being implanted, the device was activated and the level of stimulation was ramped up. Gradually over time my depression and mood improved. I started out at very severely depressed, then severe, moderate/severe, moderate, mild/moderate, mild and then complete remission( although at times my family would probably say that I bypassed remission and went straight to "pain in the ass!"). Obviously, my life has been completely changed by vagus nerve stimulation. I am so humbled and grateful at the good fortune that has been bestowed upon me.

I was a goner. And now I'm back. Vagus Nerve Stimulation is not a cure for depression. It is an alternative therapy for patients that have not had an adequate response to traditional antidepressants. Vagus nerve stimulation is a ninety-minute out patient procedure.

It is not related to ECT or brain surgery. There is no cognitive impairmant(i.e. memory loss). A small pacemaker-like device is implanted in the patient's upper left chest and one lead wire is tunneled underneath the patient's skin and coiled around the left vagus nerve. The vagus nerve has a direct pathway to those areas of the brain that are responsible for mood and depression.A prescription from your psychiatrist will be required for the procedure.You can learn more about this remarkable treatment at http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com You can sign up for a free newsletter to keep up-to-date on the latest developments..

Charles Donovan was a study subject in the investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation and depression. He is founder of the http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com Web Site. He is author of "Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression". It is available on the Web Site, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and 24 hours a day/7 days a week toll free at 1-888-VAGUS-88.info@vagusnervestimulator.com

Does Social Anxiety Hold You Back?

Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the resource box is included with a live link to my site. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. ***********************************************************Title: DOES SOCIAL ANXIETY HOLD YOU BACK?Author: Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.comcopyright: by Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.comWord Count: 631Category: Self-HelpDoes Social Anxiety Hold You Back?In the "Anxiety Disorders" section of the manual entitled "Diagnostic Criteria from DSM IV," which is used for the diagnosis of mental health conditions, there are 12 anxiety diagnoses covered.The fifth, and what may appear to be a soft diagnosis, is Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder). In contrast to "Posttraumatic Stress Disorder," "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" and "Panic Disorder" this diagnosis may seem to be lighter than the rest.Please don't be fooled by names...

Does Social Anxiety Hold You Back?

Depression > Does Social Anxiety Hold You Back?

Body and Mind-Sex and Stress

Have you ever wondered that the role of testosterone in enhancing libido and enhancing erections in men cannot be its only role? There are many other roles and biological effects of testosterone other than its known presence in bodily fluids. It has been blamed for excess hair loss (medical name-Androgenetic alopecia) although the molecular steps of hair loss in men and women are not fully understood.

This hormone is secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although men produce more of it. Various kinds of mental behavior are not only subject to influence by environment and genetics but also day-to-day hormonal changes. For example, stress can also inhibit testosterone synthesis and hence lead to decreased levels of it secretion.

Some goods news has recently emerged.

Recent studies have shown that to keep stress at bay you should frequently engage in penetrative penal-vaginal sex. Unfortunately many people from all walks of life...

Body and Mind-Sex and Stress

Depression > Body and Mind-Sex and Stress

Dealing With Disappointment

Copyright 2006 Daniel N Brown

Have you experienced any disappointments lately? What a dumb question, right? Life is full of disappointments.

Disappointment is nothing more than dashed expectations. When people put too much expectation on things or other people, disappointment is inevitable. People and things will always disappoint us.

It's good to remember that it's not so much what happens to us, but how we handle it. When our expectations become let down, it will be at that moment when we must decide how to react.

When things don't prosper or succeed according to our plan, the first thing we feel is disappointment, and this is normal. There is nothing wrong with feeling disappointed.

But, we must know what to do with that feeling or it will move into something more serious.

The devil would like for nothing more than for us to lie in the pit of disappointment for as long as possible. This way he can cause the seed...

Dealing With Disappointment

Depression > Dealing With Disappointment

Helping Your Child Cope With A Long-Term Illness

All children will likely have many different health problems during infancy and childhood: the flu, chicken pox, broken bones, stitches, ear infections, to name a few. For most children, these problems are mild ? they come and go without incident and with little disruption in a child's daily life or routine. A chronic long-term medical problem is different and often doesn't come alone, as children with serious medical illnesses are at risk of developing associated emotional problems. Learning to live with a chronic medical condition can be very challenging for a child, for parents, and for siblings and friends, and can lead to feelings of anger, fear and depression. The way children react to diagnosis with a chronic illness depends on several factors, including the child's personality, the specific illness, family emotional dynamic, and the child's age and emotional maturity.

A smaller child may react aggressively as they begin to cope with changes in schedule due to hospital...

Helping Your Child Cope With A Long-Term Illness

Depression > Helping Your Child Cope With A Long-Term Illness

Does Social Anxiety Hold You Back?

Does Social Anxiety Hold You Back?

Depression > Does Social Anxiety Hold You Back?

Electroboy Fights Stigma of Mental Illness

Los Angeles, CA (ContentDesk) May 11, 2006 -- For Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, and Vivien Leigh, bipolar disorder (or manic depression) has no doubt played a large role in their mythology and legend. But for Andy Behrman, author of "Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania," bipolar disorder is an illness he copes with on a daily basis, and not what defines him or his creative legacy."Electroboy" is Behrman's chronicle of his battle with bipolar disorder which nearly ended his life and led him into one of alcohol and drug abuse, sexual promiscuity and illegal activities including an art counterfeiting scheme which the New York media lapped up and for which he was ultimately convicted and sentenced to prison.Eliminating the stigma of mental illness is the goal of Behrmans one-man crusade, as he crisscrosses the country speaking to hundreds of mental health support groups, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, nurses, college audiences and book clubs. With more and more young people being diagnosed...

Electroboy Fights Stigma of Mental Illness

Depression > Electroboy Fights Stigma of Mental Illness