What is Depression? Exploring Treatment Options

Psychiatry

Depression is a spectrum that can be subdivided into different types, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The World Health Organization estimates that 3.8% of the population (about 280 million people) is affected, of which 5.0% are adults and 5.7% are adults over 60 years old. According to statistics, more than 300,000 people in Hong Kong have suffered from depression.

Depression comes in different levels of severity and can be classified as mild, moderate, and severe. One-third of the cases will develop into Treatment-resistant depression (TRD), i.e. having used two or more antidepressants with poor response to treatment.

Diagnostic criteria for depression

Depression has symptoms that occur repeatedly

The major treatments for depression

Drug therapy

Antidepressants (mainly for the monoamine system - serotonin, norepinephrine)
SSRI, SNRI, TCA, MAOI, etc.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy IPT

Other treatments

Mindfulness
Art Therapy

For those at risk of suicide or treatment-resistant depression

Drug therapy

Esketamine nasal spray
(targeting the glutamate pathway)
in combination with oral antidepressants

Non-drug therapy

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

References

World Health Organization. Depressive disorder (depression)

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