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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is used to treat treatment-resistant depression. TMS may cause side effects like headaches or scalp discomfort. It can be expensive and may not work for all patients.

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Our topic we chose to focus on is depression. This condition is extremely prevalent in our age demographic and is becoming more common in society in general.

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You may have a higher risk of depression if you have a longstanding illness. For example, cancer, a heart disease, or a condition that causes long-term pain.

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When people experience traumatic or stressful events such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or a lack of support, it can lead to feelings of depression.

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Around which ages do people get depression?

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Around which ages do people get depression?

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Young adults tend to have more depression (ages 18-24).

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Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, but men can also be depressed. Because men may be less likely to recognize, talk about, and seek help for their feelings or emotional problems, they are at greater risk of their depression symptoms being undiagnosed or undertreated. ‌

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Amygdala has a big job in our brains, it responsible for processing our emotions, and usually, people that suffers depression have more activity in their amygdala.

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People with depression often have a stress response in the amygdala that is misregulated by the prefrontal cortex. Their prefrontal cortex is not correctly inhibiting the stress response which leads to more feelings of stress and sadness.

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The hippocampus is plays a huge roll in the brain, responsible for long-term memory, learning things, and emotions. A chemical imbalance called cortisol causes the hippocampus to shrink, causing depression.

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Thalamus is a structure located in the middle of our brains. It helps process information and transmits it to other parts of our body. Thalamus is the main casual hub and also has to do with emotions which can cause major depressive disorders.

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A common symptom of depression is brain fog. It is treatable in various different ways, each different because it is tailored to that individual. It can be treated through certain medications but they are finding its most effective to talk through it and make lifestyle changes.

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A common symptom of depression is sadness. Being sad is a normal reaction in difficult times. But usually, the sadness goes away. When a sad mood lasts for 2 weeks or more and interferes with normal, everyday functioning, you may be depressed.

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A common symptom of depression is changes in appetite and you start to either lose weight or gain weight.

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One symptom of depression is having thoughts of suicide or attempting suicide.

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To be diagnosed with depression, a person must have symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. One of the symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities.

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A common treatment for depression is medication classified as an antidepressant. These can lift ones mood and increase motivation to combat the symptoms of depression.

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Psychological treatment can help someone out of the emotional depths of depression and keep them from becoming depressed again. It can help identify underlying concerns that may be adding to your depression. In working with your therapist, you can also learn specific behaviors and strategies to overcome your depression.

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To be diagnosed with depression, a person is usually with a lot of pain in general, acne starts occurring, you start feeling really tired all the time, you can't sleep, ect.

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When you experience depression, your heart rate and blood pressure rise, and there's reduced blood flow to the heart and your body produces higher levels of cortisol which is a stress hormone. Over time, these effects can lead to heart disease.

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Prolonged depression can disrupt personal relationships. People tend to avoid contact with others and neglect hobbies or social activities.

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Whilst experiencing depression for a long period of time, it is easy to turn into destructive behavior such as thoughts or actions of suicide. About two-thirds of people with untreated depression contemplate suicide, and about 10 to 15 percent commit

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Depression can cause high chance of aggravating medical commodities such as diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary disease. and others.

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The expected cost of psychotherapy with annual costs is around $1,507 on average per enrollee (including $348 out-of-pocket), though this does not include any therapy where the enrollee paid fully out-of-pocket without submitting a claim to their insurer. 6 out of 10 people get it fully covered by insurance. Long term consequences of choosing not to pay for psychotherapy could be spiraling into more of a depression possibly even leading to suicidal thoughts or actions.

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The expected cost of cognitive - behavioral therapy for treating depression is between $100 to $250 per hour. Some insurance plans may cover the total cost of therapy sessions, while others may need copayments or coinsurance. Also, insurance plans may limit the number of sessions covered or need pre-authorization for ongoing treatment. Untreated depression can lead to several physical and mental illnesses, including anxiety, heart disease, and diabetes

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Ketamine is basically a drug that has been approved to use as an antidepressant. Ketamine relives depressive symptoms in hours and is a way to control and calm yourself down. The cost of a 50mg bottle is around 75-200 dollars. It is really unlikely for ketamine have some type of insurance. Long term consequences of choosing not to pay for ketamine will lead for person to keep having depression.

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My focus condition is depression. One psychosocial treatment that may be necessary is CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). CBT helps people identify and challenge negative or inaccurate thoughts, and learn how to change their behavior. It's based on the idea that how people think about situations can affect their feelings and behaviors. A licensed mental health professionals such as a psychologist, social worker, and professional counselor can preform this.

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Interpersonal Therapy is a type of talk therapy that mental health professionals may use to help manage major depressive disorder. Together, you and your therapist will explore how your relationships affect your mood and vice versa. The short term effect that is designed to treat is social-withdrawal. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is typically delivered by trained mental health professionals such as psychologists and psychiatrists.

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For some individuals depression only manifests as physical symptoms. Depression has been seen to cause joint and limb pain. Strengthening exercises can strengthen muscles which will help stabilize joints to reduce pain and inflammation. These exercises can be advised by a physical therapist.

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Physical therapy can help for those who suffer depression by exercising daily. This is due to exercise releasing feel-good endorphins to the brain and improves with your well being. Your exercises can be given by your physical therapist and you'll see results in a short-term.

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My focus condition is depression. One lifestyle change that may be necessary to treat depression is exercising. For exercise, studies show that people who exercise more often release non-depressive hormones in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin. A type of professional that might help a person make this lifestyle change would be a exercise phycologist. On a scale of 1 to 10, exercising daily differs on the severity of the depression and the discipline one has to dig themself out of that loop, it could be put anywhere from a 5/10-10/10 difficulty.

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One lifestyle change that may be necessary to treat depression is eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins since it supports brain health. Depression can affect motivation, energy levels, and decision-making, making it challenging to plan and prepare healthy meals. However, individual experiences may vary, so some might find it slightly easier or harder depending on their circumstances and support systems. A registered dietitian would be the most suitable professional to guide and support a patient in making healthy dietary changes

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One special population affected by depression is veterans. The VA recognizes high rates of depression and PTSD among military personal due to the combat exposure and trauma. Additionally, when they are reintegrating into civilian life they can struggle to find employment, reconnect with family and friends, and adjust to a less structured life. There is a heavy stigma surrounding getting help for mental health within this population which can delay treatment and lead to further depression.

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Depression in older adults can often be underdiagnosed because it may present with physical symptoms rather than emotional ones. They may experience depression as part of aging due to factors like loss of loved ones, chronic health conditions, social isolation, or diminished physical ability. Older adults face several unique challenges when it comes to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of depression which may be physical health problems, psychological and emotional factors, etc.

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Maintaining meaningful relationships can significantly reduce the risk of depression. Social interactions provide emotional support, reduce feelings of loneliness, and offer opportunities for positive reinforcement and coping strategies. It's important to nurture connections with family, friends, or support groups and seek professional help if needed. Many challenges that we may face trying to enact that measure would be social isolation, fear of getting rejected, etc.

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To exercise regularly helps with depression. Engaging in consistent exercise, such as walking, jogging, yoga, or dancing, has been shown to release endorphins, improve mood, and reduce the risk of depression by promoting overall mental health and well-being. A challenge could be to that laziness comes in your way and you don't feel motivated to make this change.

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Expanding access to mental health resources is a key public health strategy for preventing depression. Initiatives like Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and community clinics reduce financial and geographic barriers to getting care for depression. Schools and workplaces also support access through on-site counselors and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). By addressing these barriers, public health efforts ensure early intervention and broader mental health support.

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Public health campaigns aim to raise awareness about depression, reduce stigma, and encourage early help-seeking. These include initiatives like "Mental Health Month" or "World Mental Health Day," which promote understanding and open conversations about mental health. Public Health campaigns is simply a campaign that has to do with depression and basically provides awareness about it and how to prevent it or help it for those suffering with depression. A possible challenge could be to showing up to these campaigns and face your problem.

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Digital Therapeutics for Depression (e.g., Moodfit)

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Digital Therapeutics for Depression (e.g., Moodfit)

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Digital therapeutic apps, such as Moodfit, provide tools like CBT-based exercises, mood tracking, and mindfulness training to help individuals manage depression. These tools are often used to prevent the worsening of symptoms or as an adjunct to therapy. Many apps lack proper regulation and evidence-based validation. Accessibility issues and potential over-reliance on technology could limit their effectiveness.

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Technology has aided in the treatment of depression by offering virtual therapy to clients. This allows people who may not have the time or resources to complete in-person therapy the opportunity to still receive help by a trained professional. While it can be more convenient for some, virtual therapy is still costly and limited to people who have access to a computer or smart phone.