Treatments for depression have come a long way in recent times

• 

  Posted By
  Victoria Stephens

• Published On
  Sat, June 16

• Reading Time
  4 Minutes

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting more than 16 million adults. More than ever we need treatments that work. Luckily the science for treatments has been developing rapidly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an environment where many determinants of poor mental health are exacerbated. The loss of jobs, social isolation, and economic insecurity are just some of the stressors that can lead to depression and anxiety. In addition, the use of Alcohol and other substances can increase during times of stress, further exacerbating mental health problems. The good news is that there are effective treatments for depression and anxiety disorders. If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to support you through this difficult time.

Clinical Research Advancing Treatments

Clinical research is critical to understanding and treating mental illnesses. Clinical trials are research studies that aim to evaluate a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are performed with people who have depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental disorders. The goal of clinical trials is to find new and better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat mental disorders. Without clinical trials, we would not have the treatments and therapies that we have today. Clinical research is essential to improving the lives of people with mental illness.

When a new treatment is being developed, researchers need to test it on people to see if it is effective. In most cases, they will enroll people who are already suffering from the condition that the treatment is meant to address. This allows them to directly compare the results of the treatment against the natural progression of the disease. However, in some cases healthy volunteers are also used. These individuals do not have the health condition that is being studied, but provide a valuable point of comparison. For example, if a new depression medication is being tested, researchers might enroll both people with depression and healthy volunteers. By comparing the two groups, they can get a better understanding of how the medication affects people without any underlying health problems.

Getting Involved

The eligibility requirements for each study vary and determine the criteria for participation. For example, a study on depression may require that participants be between the ages of 18 and 65, have a diagnosis of depression, and be taking an antidepressant medication. It is important to note that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that a person will be enrolled in the study. This is because there may be more people who meet the eligibility requirements than there are spots available in the study. Therefore, it is important to connect with the study staff directly as they are in the best position to answer questions and provide specific information regarding eligibility and possible participation.