Six distinct types of depression identified in Stanford Medicine-led study

[nitpicked]

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/06/depression-biotypes.html

Six distinct types of depression identified in Stanford Medicine-led study
June 17, 2024 - By Rachel Tompa

In the not-too-distant future, a screening assessment for depression could include a quick brain scan to identify the best treatment. Brain imaging combined with machine learning can reveal subtypes of depression and anxiety, according to a new study led by researchers at Stanford Medicine. The study, published June 17 in the journal Nature Medicine, sorts depression into six biological subtypes, or “biotypes,” and identifies treatments that are more likely or less likely to work for three of these subtypes.
(snip)

Around 30% of people with depression have what’s known as treatment-resistant depression, meaning multiple kinds of medication or therapy have failed to improve their symptoms. And for up to two-thirds of people with depression, treatment fails to fully reverse their symptoms to healthy levels.

That’s in part because there’s no good way to know which antidepressant or type of therapy could help a given patient. Medications are prescribed through a trial-and-error method, so it can take months or years to land on a drug that works — if it ever happens. And spending so long trying treatment after treatment, only to experience no relief, can worsen depression symptoms.
(snip)

Biotypes predict treatment response
To better understand the biology underlying depression and anxiety, Williams and her colleagues assessed 801 study participants who were previously diagnosed with depression or anxiety using the imaging technology known as functional MRI, or fMRI, to measure brain activity. They scanned the volunteers’ brains at rest and when they were engaged in different tasks designed to test their cognitive and emotional functioning. The scientists narrowed in on regions of the brain, and the connections between them, that were already known to play a role in depression. Using a machine learning approach known as cluster analysis to group the patients’ brain images, they identified six distinct patterns of activity in the brain regions they studied.
(snip)

[OldBaldy1701E]

1. You will never get any of them to admit this.

That’s in part because there’s no good way to know which antidepressant or type of therapy could help a given patient. Medications are prescribed through a trial-and-error method, so it can take months or years to land on a drug that works — if it ever happens. And spending so long trying treatment after treatment, only to experience no relief, can worsen depression symptoms.

Their ignorance over what drugs to give was overshadowed by their desire to get as many people on them as possible. Their practice of using the 'throw it at the wall and see what sticks' method is responsible for making things worse in MANY people, but they did not care as the profits were very good and no one was ever able to do anything about it. I am glad this research as been done so that maybe... maybe... they will at least try to give us the correct medication before bleeding their patients dry from their excessive gouging over trying dozens of medications in a childish attempt to get one or more that will work enough to put you on a permanent cash drain over having to take them. Because, once you start, it is hard to get off of them. The damage they could do can be permanent. But, good luck trying to explain this to a doctor who is driven to make money from convincing you to take them.

Healthcare is the number one profit generator in the world. Healthcare should not be about profit.

(Yes, I am aware that medication helps some who use it. I am very glad it does. However, the medical profession's desire to toss pills at mental health issues without any attempt at actual treatment (therapy that lasts longer than fifteen minutes a session and more than once a month) is dangerous and shows a lack of willingness to actually manage the issues other than creating zombies who will go out and be good little wage slaves without bothering anyone.)

[Joinfortmill]

2. Interesting. I suffered from depression from roughly 15 to 45.

It was determined to be mild. Without going into detail, I can assure you it was very serious and very long lasting. It did lift after a hysterectomy, so I always laugh and say the best times of my life have been pre-pubescent and post menopausal. But, the pain is real and just because you can (mostly) push through it and function doesn't mean it's 'mild'.

My other comment about depression is that, sadly, there are a lot of very bad therapists out there. I hope anyone who suffers from depression gets the relief they deserve. I wouldn't wish those years on anyone. The only thing that kept me going was my children.