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What is done in the case of severe depression?

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Host: What is done in the case of severe depression?

Dr. Kim Penberthy: For severe depression there are additional therapies that can be used. One is a therapy designed specifically for chronic which is long-term severe depression called Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy and it has been shown to be very effective. This is something that Psychologist or Psychiatrist who is trained in that therapy can do for you. In addition, there are additional medical things that people can do such as Electroconvulsive Therapy which is ECT which is in the past been called Shock Therapy where you actually get electric shock to your brain and that resets the wiring if you will and the neurotransmitters and can help with a really severe depression. There is also a Vagus Nerve Stimulation which is for the deep brain stimulation that can help with severe depression and both of these have been shown to be effective, but they are most extreme steps to take, but again, with severe depression you may need to do that.

Expert: Dr. Kim Penberthy

Dr. Penberthy attended Wake Forest University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology. She obtained a master’s degree in experimental psychology from Wake Forest University in 1992. Dr. Penberthy collaborated in research conducted at the UNC-Chapel Hill Center for Alcohol Studies, in the Medical School, and then at the Cancer Research Center at Duke University. She then completed her More »