Jul 1, 2009 5:56 pm US/Eastern
New Treatment Eases Depression Symptoms
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Tens of millions of Americans are depressed and relief doesn't always come easily.
CBS
Tens of millions of Americans are depressed and relief doesn't always come easily.
Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn shows how a newly approved device is easing symptoms in hart to treat patients.
Richard Hannotte says the sadness started as a teenager and intensified when his father died.
"Shortly after my father's death, I went in for treatment for depression," he said.
It's a condition that affects about one in 13 adults. Recent research indicates that over the past year, more than 16 million Americans 18 and older experienced at least one bout of major depression.
"I felt lethargic, didn't feel like getting out of bed, didn't feel like doing anything," he said.
Hannotte, now 45, has tried a variety of antidepressants, some of which have unpleasant side effects.
"For me, it would stimulate appetite and usually gooey carbs like doughnuts. I rarely eat those things, so I'm putting on weight and not doing any exercise," he said.
That's why he turned to an unusual form of therapy called TMS--transmagnetic stimulation.
"We're trying to induce a current in a part of the brain associated with depression, the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex," said Dr. Scott Aaronson.
TMS is designed to excite neurons in the brain, triggering activity and easing depression.
"A good candidate would be someone intolerant to multiple trials of medication or has failed an attempt at medication," Dr. Aaronson said.
Someone like Richard, who describes the treatment as a little uncomfortable, but effective.
"This is a much better alternative for me because it makes me more productive," he said.
Patients should expect 20-30 sessions of TMS with each session lasting about 40 minutes.
TMS isn't a cure for depression since symptoms can return in six months or a year. Expect to pay between $6,000 and $9,000.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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