Mehmet E. Dokucu, MD, PhD Associate Professor Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Illinois
Philip G. Janicak, MD Adjunct Professor Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Illinois
Disclosures Dr. Dokucu reports no financial relationships with any companies whose products are mentioned in this article, or with manufacturers of competing products. Dr. Janicak is a speaker for Otsuka PsychU program and TMS Health Solutions.
Adverse effects of exercise are typically limited to sprains or strains; rarely, participants experience serious injuries.
Mindfulness-based interventionsinvolve purposely paying attention in the present moment to enhance self-understanding and decrease anxiety about the future and regrets about the past, both of which complicate depression. A meta-analysis of 12 RCTs (N = 578) found this approach significantly reduced depression severity when used as an adjunctive therapy.31 There may be risks if mindfulness-based interventions are practiced incorrectly. For example, some reports have linked mindfulness-based interventions to psychotic episodes, meditation addiction, and antisocial or asocial behavior.32
Bottom Line
Nonpharmacologic options for patients with treatment-resistant depression include herbal/nutraceuticals, anti-inflammatory/immune system therapies, and devices. While research suggests some of these approaches are promising, clinicians need to carefully consider potential adverse effects, some of which may be serious.
Related Resources
Kaur M, Sanches M. Experimental therapeutics in treatmentresistant major depressive disorder. J Exp Pharmacol. 2021;13:181-196.
