Surgery for depression?

Question

How effective is it? Will individuals that have this surgery be "cured"? For anyone who has had this procedure. How much does it cost? I'm really wanting to know.

Answer 1

There is no FDA approved neurosurgery for depression. There are some experimental studies using Deep Brain Stimulation for refractory depression, but as far as I know it is not publicly available.

There is minor surgery involved for implanting a Vagal Nerve Stimulator. Its about 30% effective for refractory depression, but those numbers are controversial. I think its between $16-20,000

Answer 2

I don't recommend it unless all other medicines and treatments have failed. And it's effectiveness depends on the person, for some people it works and for others not as much.

I personally have not had the procedure, so I don't know the cost, sorry.

Answer 3

Have you considered ECT treatments?  Electroconvulsive therapy.  It is far from the "electroshock therapy" from years ago.  The patients are sedated and the process last a few minutes.  I medicated them for the procedure and monitored their vital signs throughout the process.  I talked to the patients to find out why they were doing this treatment.  Everyone of them said that it helped them immensely when nothing else would help.  They said the only drawback was a small amount of memory loss, but they said it was well worth it.  They told me the ECT treaments gave them their quality of life back.  Of course, it goes without saying that you should try psychiatric medications and counseling before going to these more serious treatments.