Psychiatry is a broad field that deals with the psychic mind and it’s development and also the balance of neurochemistry and specific disorders in the brain. Treatments range from individual psychotherapy and psychoanalysis to work in families and groups, as well as medication management and, in some cases, neurostimulation. This includes ECT (electroconvulsive therapy), TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation, VNS (vagal nerve stimulation) and DBS (deep brain stimulation. These treatments are reserved for treatment resistant depression not responsive to medications and psychotherapy (at least six month of aggressive therapies) and can be life saving. Each has it’s own benefits and risks.
ECT induces a seizure in a controlled way and is 70-80% effective in severe depression. It takes usually 16 treatments, most likely in the hospital, but causes memory loss which is often permanent. TMS achieves a 60-70% response with no memory loss. It takes 30 treatments outpatient and is pricey. I had 33 TMS cases with 28 responders. VNS is low yield is now seldom done. DBS is 80-90% effective, but leaves a permanent implant deep in your brain and is serious neurosurgery. All, but VNS, are effective, but with costs,either physical or financial.
There is much emotion and mythology surrounding these treatments, but the results are evidence based and reproducible. If you or a loved one are incapacitated by depression, this would be your choice. And the good news is that newer treatments with less side effects are on the horizon, including a deep TMS which is more effective. Leave the folklore behind and follow this science!