Posted by linkadge on June 12, 2020, at 11:58:04
In reply to Re: How Come More People aren't Doing TMS!, posted by PCB on June 12, 2020, at 8:13:32
Its difficult to say whether degree of illness is a factor. I read a study suggesting that TMS increased dopamine more than amphetamine. It can also induce a seizure if you're not careful. It certainly has an effect (I induced a borderline psychotic episode with the TMS device I built and used on myself - long story). I knew a patient that failed multiple antidepressants and ECT and was actively suicidal. They ultimately responded to a combination of SAMe and St. John's Wort. So go figure.
I think the issue is that one person's depression is not the same as another's. This includes severity (as you mention) but also perhaps the biochemistry and/or brain structures involved. If you had no thyroid, this could cause significant depression. Taking thyroid could alleviate the depression, even though it is not considered a first line antidepressant for people who are not low.
For some, SSRIs improve depression. For others, they worsen it. There really is no one 'depression' and there are many mysteries as to how or why medications work.
I hear what you are saying about severity, though. Drug companies have (in some ways) worked to 'normalize' depression. For example, according to the Trintellix commercial, depression is about wearing sweatpants and not wanting to do the laundry. If that's the case then sign 1/4 of Americans up for a prescription. It's hard to communicate to people that you have depression, when many people think that its a result of a bad hair day.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:1110649
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20200511/msgs/1110668.html