Spotlight on: Treatment for depression
Depression is very probably several different illnesses with different root causes. This may explain why current medications do not always help. Researchers are now attempting to put this complicated jigsaw puzzle together with the few pieces they have. And they are starting to see a pattern emerge.
A jigsaw with unknown pieces
Depression is a common illness all over the world. According to the statistics, one in four women and one in seven men are affected at some point in their lives. However, we still know very little about what happens in the brain in state of depression. This complicates the search for new treatments.
Can psychedelics help with severe depression?
Research into psychedelic substances has taken off. Now researchers will look more closely at whether therapy together with the substance psilocybin can help with treatment-resistant depression.
Physical activity and depresssion
Mia Lindskog researches if and how physical acitivity could prevent depression.
Genetic analysis can improve depression therapy
In order to individualise drug therapy, researchers are attempting to establish genetic biomarkers that can predict an individual’s response to drugs.
The reawakening of depression research
The antidepressant ketamine has lead to a reawakening within the field. This according to Johan Lundberg who sees new possibilities to find a cure for one of the world’s most widespread disorders.
Stories
“Online CBT gave me new tools”
Katarina Schmidt Berg got help to recover from her burnout using Internet-based CBT.
“The taboo is the big villain of the piece”
Christian Dahlström who himself is afflicted want us to talk more openly about mental ill-health and depression.
“Depression is not seen, it's felt”
Pirjo Stråte's son committed suicide due to depression. She is now working to help others who suffer.
Look further
If you are feeling bad
Mind's suicide helpline is open around the clock, every day, call: 90101 (in Sweden only).
Internet Psychiatry
The Stockholm County Council offers Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) online.
Mental Health Run
Run a race in support of people with mental illness. The race is organised annually in several places in the country.
I had a black dog, his name was depression.
The World Health Organisation's information film about living with depression.