Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
973741 tn?1342342773

Neurological treatment for depression and anxiety

I listened to a podcast discussion this treatment and it sounds very promising. Some people do not respond well to medication and are medication resistant getting no relief and others have a hard time tolerating medication.  This is new this year, cranial electrotherapy stimulation which uses what sounds to be ear pads (electrodes incorporated into noise canceling over ear head sets looking like regular headphones) to supply the therapy.  It  sounds very promising. https://www.neurologylive.com/clinical-focus/fda-clears-cervella-cranial-electrotherapy-stimulator-for-insomnia  This article states insomnia but it is indicated for depression and anxiety as well.  I'm curious if anyone has any experience or thoughts about this.
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
This has been around a long time in various forms.  It's not new.  I've been told about such treatments for many years.  I've always personally been afraid of it because much of it is so unstudied that you just don't know about things like memory loss or personality change or whether it leads to dementia-like problems down the road.  So far as I know the magnetic treatments and some of the other stimulation techniques are much much safer than the old electric therapies.  I think it's pretty much like anything else you try, it helps some and doesn't help others, it hurts some and doesn't hurt others, but unlike medication, which only treats symptoms, not the underlying problem, the claim is sometimes made that repeated treatments of this sort of thing is more directly targeting where the problem is.  No idea if that's true or not, though.  As I say, so far I've been afraid to try the stuff, and it's expensive, usually not covered by most insurance, and usually not done close to where you might be, but if all else has failed, I've heard some encouraging stuff about it.  And some not so encouraging stuff.  Who knows?  
Helpful - 0
4 Comments
I know the concept is not new, but this is the first over the ear, headphone system and it's really pretty inexpensive in the big scheme of things.  I read it is $675 for the system.  I've read reviews and the studies.  Looks pretty solid to me. I'm very curious about it.  I don't think my son is a candidate yet as he hasn't tried medications which I've held off on trying to get him as far along the brain development path as I can before entering meds into the mix. But would try this if I could for him.
An interesting question, as we know medications are highly problematic if you take them long-term, hard to quit, and loaded with side effects and don't attack the cause of the problem.  I had a psychologist who claimed what she had read was the magnetic stuff was very promising and seemed to have few side effects and supposedly got right to the brain.  I'm wondering how headphones do this, as they wouldn't attach to brain receptors, right?  Does it purport to work by sound?  
Also, did they specifically study it for anxiety?  One of the problems for us anxiety sufferers is that almost everything is studied for depression, and then maybe a little for anxiety later on but not focused on it.
Yes, it has an indication from the FDA FOR anxiety as well as insomnia.  
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Depression Community

Top Mood Disorders Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.