The American Psychiatric Association (not to be confused with
the American Psychological Association) has released new
treatment guidelines for depression. According to Medscape
Today, the guidelines include: - A clinician- and/or patient-
administered rating scale for psychiatric symptoms to help with
treatment strategies; - A recommendation for the use of
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT or "shock therapy") to treat
depression if many other treatments have been tried
unsuccessfully, along with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),
transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation
as other potential options; - Aerobic exercise or resistance
training to improve mood symptoms, especially in older adults
with other physical or mental illness; and - Consideration of
long-term maintenance treatment, especially for patients at risk
for recurrence. It's worth noting that Reuters reported that
first suggestion as follows: "Doctors should use rating scales
to assess their patients' conditions and tailor tre