ANTIDEPRESSANTS APPLICATION PROSPECTS AND RELEVANCE OF THE SEARCH FOR HIGH-ACTIVITY ANTIDEPRESSANTS

Abstract

Treatment strategies that present a rapid improvement of depressive symptoms—within hours or even a few days—and whose effects are sustained would have a huge impact on public health. Current depression therapies typically take weeks to months to achieve response and remission, which frequently results in significant morbidity and disruption in personal, professional, family, and social life, as well as a risk for suicidal behavior. This article reviews the published data related to various aspects of rapid improvement of depressive symptoms. Antidepressant responses can be produced by some investigational treatments far more quickly than by current drugs. Knowing the molecular underpinnings of these experimental interventions is probably going to result in better treatments rather than just increasing our understanding of the conventional antidepressants that are now on the market. Walking or jogging, yoga, and strength training are more beneficial than other forms of exercise, especially when done intensely, when it comes to treating depression. When compared to other treatments, yoga and strength training were well received. People with and without comorbidities, as well as those with varying baseline degrees of depression, seemed to benefit similarly from exercise. Future research could try to blind staff and participants in order to lessen expectation effects. In addition to psychotherapy and medicines, these types of exercise could be regarded as essential treatments for depression.