Major Depressive Disorder: A Review into Potential Alternative Treatments with Psychostimulants, Lifestyle Modifications, and Current Mainstream Treatments of Depression
Saliba, Sam.
2016
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Abstract: Major
depressive disorder (also known as MDD, clinical depression, or just "depression") is a
mental illness characterized by a prolonged (at least 2 weeks) [1] depressed mood, loss
of interest in activities, even ones that the patient found enjoyable, and a generalized
feeling of anxiety and, for some, thoughts of suicide. It is, unfortunately, a too
common of a mood disorder in ... read morethe United States and the world, leading to many patients
being either undertreated, having no treatment or put on a specific therapy to do little
to alleviate the pain. As of now, it can be treated from several clinical approaches: a
pharmaceutical approach, where certain antidepressants and other medications may help
treat the disorder; a psychotherapeutic approach, where speaking to a therapist or a
group of other patients in counseling may give a better understanding as to why the
patient is behaving this way; a more unconventional approach, where techniques such as
shock therapy have been proven to be quite effective in temporarily abating the negative
feelings from this disease; or, a combination of all or some of the above approaches in
whatever ensures each patients' needs, depending on the severity of the disorder. This
paper will focus mainly on the pharmacological aspects of currently used
antidepressants, their efficacy and how other alternatives may be better suited for
certain patients during a regimen in treating this disorder. One group of drugs that are
of particular interest are amphetamines and methamphetamines in the possible acute
treatment of MDD. Although many of these drugs within this specific group of chemicals
carry undesirable effects, it may be possible, in specific dosages, to safely treat
patients suffering from MDD, especially those categorized in a severe state (i.e.,
suicidal ideation, self-harm). The principle of the application of these drugs is to,
hopefully, be able to treat patients suffering from acute episodes of MDD quicker than
the standard antidepressants can, which generally take at least a month (4 to 6 weeks)
before they start working—if they even work at
all.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University, 2016.
Submitted to the Dept. of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics.
Advisors: Emmanuel Pothos, and Martin Beinborn.
Keywords: Pharmacology, and Medicine.read less - ID:
- sq87c621x
- Component ID:
- tufts:20673
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
