Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Central Medical Group), Qingdao, China.
2 papers in the library · 14 citations · publishing 2025
Adding facilitator-supported mindfulness-based self-help (MBSH) to usual treatment leads to faster and greater reductions in anxiety and depression for people with emotional disorders. In a randomized trial with 302 patients from four centers, those who received MBSH plus usual care showed significantly more improvement in symptoms, mindfulness, physical symptoms, stress, sleep, and inner peace immediately after the program compared to those receiving usual care alone. Some benefits, including reduced depression and stress and increased mindfulness, appeared as early as three to five weeks and were maintained three months later. The approach is a scalable and effective addition to clinical practice.
Emerging viruses like monkeypox virus and SARS-CoV-2 can cause depression by triggering neuroinflammation, immune dysfunction, and neurotransmitter imbalances. Standard antidepressants often work poorly for post-viral depression. Ketamine and its enantiomers S-ketamine and R-ketamine show promise as rapid-acting antidepressants, especially for treatment-resistant depression. This review describes the mechanisms linking viral infections to depression and the antidepressant actions of ketamine compounds. Preliminary reports suggest effectiveness, but more studies are needed to establish optimal treatment strategies, long-term safety, and clinical integration for depression associated with emerging viral infections.