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Charles Donovan - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
Charles Donovan was a patient in the FDA investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. He was implanted with the vagus nerve stimulator in April of 2001. He chronicles his journey from the grips of depression thanks to vagus nerve stimulation therapy in his book:
Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
[View Charles Donovan's Extended Author Bio]
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Charles Donovan Email Alerts
- What Are the Components of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Surgery to Treat Epilepsy?
[Health-and-Fitness:Diseases] The vagus nerve stimulation implant is a 90-minute out-patient procedure. It can be performed by a neurosurgeon, vascular surgeon or ENT.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Treat Epilespy
[Health-and-Fitness:Diseases] The United States ("U.S.") Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approved the VNS Therapy System in July 1997 for use as an adjunctive therapy in epilepsy patients over 12 years of age in reducing the frequency of partial onset seizures that are refractory or resistant to antiepileptic drugs. The VNS Therapy System is indicated as an adjunctive treatment for patients who are refractory to antiepileptic drugs.
- Expect a Flood of Foreclosures Over the Next Two Years
[Real-Estate:Foreclosures] A new report by Global Insight says foreclosures could drop U.S. property values by more than one trillion dollars next year. And few cities will be spared. Buyer beware. Mortgage holders beware. All Americans should be concerned.
- The Vagus Nerve and its Role in the Treatment of Obesity
[Health-and-Fitness:Obesity] Virginia Commonwealth University researchers are enrolling people in a study testing an implanted weight-loss device that curbs hunger and increases feelings of fullness so weight drops almost effortlessly. The therapy consists of a thin, pacemaker-like disk placed under the skin and attached to thin, wire electrodes that are wrapped around nerves on the stomach. The nerves are vagus nerves, which branch off the brain and carry signals between the brain and several organs, including the stomach, small intestine and gall bladder.
- New Depression Treatments - An Introduction To Brain Stimulation Therapies
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Neuromodulation is the next frontier in the treatment of chronic or severe depression. This article is an introduction to new brain stimulation therapies.
- May 6th deadline: Medicare's final decision to cover vagus nerve stimulation therapy for depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Healthcare-Systems] Medicare's final and binding ruling regarding a National Coverage Decision for vagus nerve stimulation to treat resistant depression is expected no later than May 6th. I will write a special article as soon as the decision is made public.
- Celebrity Suicides And Deaths - Very Sad Stories-Part II Of III
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Movies-TV] After the suicide of band Boston leader Brad Delp and comedian Richard Jeni, I started to research other suicides by celebrities or famous people.
- Celebrity Suicides - Published, Hidden, and Nebulous Causes of Death - Part I of III
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Movies-TV] With the recent suicides of comedian Richard Jeni and band Boston leader Brad Delp, I started to reflect and research about other high-profile suicides. I learned that there were many famous, success people, talented artists, actors and musicians who suffered from depression and have successfully committed suicide. Sadly too many for just one post.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy - Updates from Harvard Medical School - What Are the Benefits and Dangers?
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Memory loss attributed to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may to a large extent be associated with how the treatment is administered, according to a study of patients referred to one of seven hospitals in the New York metropolitan area for ECT.
- Depression and Sleep Deprivation - A Two-Way Street
[Health-and-Fitness:Sleep-Snoring] There is a close relationship between depression and sleep deprivation. Sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea and delayed sleep phase syndrome rob you of sleep. Lack of sleep saps your energy, makes you irritable and sucks all the joy from your life.
- Eli Lilly Suppressed Information That Its Drug Zyprexa Was Linked To Obesity And Diabetes
[Health-and-Fitness:Diabetes] Drug companies will never learn their lesson. The front page of today's New York Times( Sun., December17th, 2006) disclosed that Eli Lilly suppressed information that its drug Zyprexa was linked to obesity and diabetes.
- How to Overcome The Holiday Blues and Holiday Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] It is almost cliche to complain about stress and depression during the Holidays. But for many, the Holidays are truely a challenging time to manage stress and anxiety. Those symptoms need to be respected and require good coping techniques.
- The FDA May Expand Warning Labels for Antidepressants
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] The FDA may expand warning labels for antidepressants because of fear increaes in suicidal thoughts.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy is Effective For Both Epileptic Seizures and Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Diseases] Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is another form of treatment that may be tried when medications fail to stop seizures. It is currently approved for use in adults and children over the age of 12 who have partial seizures that resist control by other methods. The therapy is designed to prevent seizures by sending regular small pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve, a large nerve in the neck.
- Suicide Rates Have Declined The Past Ten Years Thanks to New Depression Treatments
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Suicide, which is the elevength leading cause of death in the United States, is a very serious subject. Researchers say that suicide is depression left untreated. Suicide rates have declined over the past ten years thanks to new depression treatments.
- National Institute of Health Launches A Campaign to Create Awareness of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
[Health-and-Fitness:Diseases] The National Institute of Health has finally recognized the seriousness of chronic fatigue syndrome. Last week, it launched a major campaign to create awareness of this illness that is misunderstood and misdiagnosed.
- Remission in Patients with Depression is Possible, But Hard to Sustain
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Patients who recover from a major depressive episode are at high of a relapse according to a study released by the National Insitutute of Mental Health. This is why it is critical for patients to not only sustain the response, but to be vigilant about staying well by strictly following the doctor's long term treatment plan.
- Top 10 List of Medical Breakthroughs Impacting Healthcare in 2007 Published November 7th, 2006
[Health-and-Fitness] The Cleveland Clinic, ranked as the third best hospital in America by U.S. News & World Report, published its list of the top ten medical breakthroughs impacting healthcare in 2007.
- 11th World Congress on Internet in Medicine
[Health-and-Fitness:Medicine] The 11th World Congress on Internet in Medicine sponsored by Mednet is being held this week in Toronto Canada. The Conference has over 1,000 attendees including Microsoft's Director of Health Industry, Intel's Managing Director of Health Care and the National Director of Marketing at the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC)...
- Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat Chronic Depression: Special Segement on CBS's Sixty-Minutes
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] On Sunday, October 1, 2006 CBS's Sixty-Minutes program aired a special segment about deep brain stimulation(DBS) for the treatment of chronic depression. DBS is still experimental and involves brain surgery, but it could be helpful in the developmentof future neurostimulation therapies to treat this debilitating disease.
- Free Report From Harvard Medical School: UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Harvard Medical School just published a special report titled: UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION. I am offering a hard copy of this very informative and useful report free. Please read this article for details about the report and the free offer.
- Discovery Channel to Feature Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Treat Depresssion
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] The Discovery Health Channel will air a segment on vagus nerve stimulation therapy to treat depression as part of its "Medical Incredible" series on June 26th at 9:00PM Eastern. I know this segment will be helpfuul to both patients and family members.
- Patient Registry Started for the Medical Breakthrough Treatment of Vagus Nerve Stimulation
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] In an effort to further understand why vagus nerve stimulation therapy is more effective than anitidepressants with patients who suffer from chrnic depression, the manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator, Cyberonics, Inc., announced the launch of the first treatment-resistant depression(TRD) patient registry. This registry that will help the medical community's understanding of TRD, and determine which pateints are most appropriate for this procedure. I think that the data produced from the registry will significantly help psychiatrists further understanding how this vagus nerve stimulation is effective.
- What is Depressive Disorder and How Does it Affect the Quality of Life?
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Some types of depression run in families, indicating that a biological vulnerability to depression can be inherited. This seems to be the case especially with bipolar disorder. Studies have been done of families in which members of each generation develop bipolar disorder.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms Must Be Diagnosed and Treated
[Health-and-Fitness:Anxiety] Do yourself a favor and learn about the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and seek appropriate treatment. If you don't get the right diagnosis, you won't get the right treatment.
- Men, Women and Depression: Uniting Mind and Body in Our Healthcare Sytem
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Men and depression, women and depression, it doesn't matter. Depression crosses all genders, ethnic groups and economic classes. The Centers for Disease Control studied the importance of integrating the mind with the body in our healthcare system. It is a fabulous study.
- Women Are Four Times as Likely as Men to Suffer From Depression - New FDA Approved Therapy
[Health-and-Fitness:Womens-Issues] Women Are four times as likely as men to suffer from depression and as a result the whole family suffers. Educate yourself, learn how to get help and seek treatment. The FDA has approved the only long term treatment option for depression; vagus nerve stimulation.
- Antidepressants Can Cause Unncessary Weight Gain- Be Aware of this Side Effect
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] Many antidepressants can cause weight gain. Studies show that antidepressants can cause unnecessary weight gain an average of 10-15%.
- The Importance of the Link Between Emotional Happiness and Physical Health
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] The April 2006 Issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publication Preventing Chronic Diseases published some very interesting information about the importance of integrating care for medical and mental illness. Finally, there is an FDA approved long-term treatment for depression: VNS Therapy( vagus nerve stimulation).
- Insurance Plans are Reimbursing Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Over 120 different insurance companies and plans have reimbursed at least one case of vagus nerve therapy for depression.
- US News & World Report Discusses Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] The February 20th issue of U.S. News & World Report features Miracles of Brain Repair on its cover. The article is a very good resource for learning more about vagus nerve stimulation therapy as a treatment for depression.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation is FDA Approved for Depression and being prescribed by MD's
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) is a safe, FDA approved treatment for chronic or recurrent depression. VNS has increasingly been more accepted by the psychiatric community as its robust antidepressants effects of this treatment has on key areas of the brain is better understood by psychiatrists.
- Insurance Companies are Beginning to Reimburse for Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Insurance Companies are beginning to reimburse for vagus nerve stimulation therapy for depression. Reimbursement is being done on a case-by-case basis, but progress is being made towards universal coverage at the overall policy level.
- Top Fifteen Definitions for Understanding Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Vagus nerve stimulation was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) as an adjunctive treatment for chronic or recurrent depression. In this article I have outlined some basic definitions to help you better understand this remarkable treatment. I hope you find this helpful.
- The Top Ten Things You Need to Know About Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] The U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration just approved vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for depression. This article will give you the most things that you need to know about this remarkable, life-changing therapy.
- The Relationship Between Pain and Chronic or Major Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] The relationship between pain and chronic or major depression is just being recognized my scientists and researchers. General practioners are not trained to look for depression as the cause of an illness.
- Major Depression is the Leading Cause of Disability in the World
[Health-and-Fitness:Disability] According to the World Health Organization, major Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world. The only FDA approved long term treatment option for major depression is vagus nerve stimulation. Discover how this ninety-minute out-patient procedure can improve the quality of your life.
- Chronic Depression is the Leading Cause of Disability in the World
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Major depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States. The earlier you get adequate treatment for this potentially debilitating disease, the better chance you have of recovering to full remission. Vagus nerve stimulation is the first ever FDA approved treatment for chronic depression.
- If You Don't Get the Right Diagnosis for Your Depression, You Won't Get the Right Treatment
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] If you don't get the right diagnosis for your depression, you won't get the right treatment. Yet over half of antidepressants/antipsychotics are prescribed by general practioners or primary care physicians.
- BREAKING NEWS: Medicare Part D Prescription Plan Announced
[Health-and-Fitness:Healthcare-Systems] On September 30th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid(CMS) announced the details of Medicare Part D Precription Plan. This looks like an excellent progam for people who depend upon Medicare for healthcare.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression Conference
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] This article is a summary of some of the scientific studies of vagus nerve stimulation and depression as presented at the Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression Conference.
- Efficacy and Safety of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression Published in Journal
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] The efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation for depression was published in the prestigious peer reviewed journal of Biological Psychiatry-September 1st, 2005.
- New FDA Approved Therapy for Depression: Timeline from Prescription to Procedure
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] On July 18, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic depression. On August 18th, the manufacturer of the stimulator estimated that it would take 90 days from the time the patient says "yes" to the time of the implant procedure.
- FDA Approved Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy Can Improve The Quality of Your Life
[Book-Reviews:Health-Mind-Body] As of August 2005, the FDA approved vagus nerve stimulation therapy as a treatment for depression. This therapy completely changed my life, when everything else had failed. It can change your life.
- Sources of Online Suicide Help for People Suffering from Severe Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] There are many sources of online suicide help and prevention for people suffering from severe depression. Patients should take advantage of these resources to educate themselves and become aware of all the help available to them.
- Insurance Reimbursement for Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] On July 18th, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved vagus nerve stimulation therapy as a treatment for depression. This ninety-minute out patient procedure is not related to brain surgery or shock treatments. The vagus nerve has a direct pathway to those areas of the brain responsible for mood and depression and is more effective than traditional antidepressants.
- New Antidepressant Developments and Approvals
[Health-and-Fitness:Medicine] New antidepressant development, until fairly recently, was at best a random, and at worst a problematic and frustrating, process. Often, medications that were developed for one thing were discovered quite accidentally to have much more important therapeutic effects for a completely different disorder. Learn about a new medical treatment for depression, which was just approved by the FDA on July 18, 2005.
- Psychiatrist Begin Training About Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] On August 1st, the formal training of the nation's psychiatrists about vagus nerve stimulation as treatment for depression was officially launched. You need to be your own best advocate and learn about how this remarkable FDA approved therapy can potentially improve the quality of your life.
- FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Today, July 15, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic depression. Four million Americans suffer from chronic depression and vagus nerve stimulation offers great hope the those deperate patients that have run out of options.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation Should be Used Early in Treatment when Traditional Antidepressants Fail
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] The earlier in life depression is adequately treated, the better chance the patient has for a full and sustained recovery. This was recently reported by the Harvard Medical School and the National Institute of Mental Health.
- Depression is the Number One Cause of Disability in the United States
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] According to the World Health Organization, 4 of the 10 leading causes of disability in the United States and other developed countries are mental disorders, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Approximately 23% of American adults each year have a diagnosable mental disorder and as many as 5.4% of American adults have a serious mental illness.
- Senate Finance Committee Delays FDA Approval of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] One-year ago, the FDA's Medical Devices Panel recommended approval of vagus nerve stimulation therapy for chronic depression. Now, the Senate Finance Committee, headed by Senator Chuck Grassley(R) of Iowa, suddenly wants to examine the approval. This "exmaination" impedes the FDA's final approval of VNS Therapy and four million Americans continue to have no FDA approved therapy for their life-threatening debilitating disease.
- 25% of Americans Suffer From a Mental Illness and do Not Get Adequate Relief From Antidepressants
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] According to the June 7th issue of the Wall Street Journal, more Americans are seeking treatment for mental illnesses than ever before, but most of them fail to get adequate care, according to a major new government study.
In the once-a-decade report funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that one-quarter of Americans had a psychiatric disorder in the year prior to the survey, and 40% of them sought treatment, up from just 25% who sought treatment in the previous report a decade ago.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation: What are the Benefits and How Does It Relieve Depression?
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Vagus nerve stimulation is more effective than antidepressants and is not related to brain surgery or shock treatments. It is a 60-90 minute out-patient procedure, with robust antidepressant affects on the brain.
- FDA Nears Completion of Review of Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Chronic Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Cyberonics Inc. on Thursday, June 2, said that the FDA had nearly completed final review of conditions outlined in the February approval of its implanted device for treatment of chronic depression.
- New Treatment for Depression to be Presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Within the next few weeks, the FDA is expected to issue its final approval of a medical breakthrough treatment for chronic or treatment-resistant depression. This new therapy will be presented at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in Atlanta from May 21st-May 25th.
- Change Your Life Forever with New Medical Breakthrough Treatment for Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Change Your Life Forever with a New Medical Breakthrough Treatment for Depression. The imminent FDA approval of the first ever long-term treament option for chronic depression offers hope to the 4 million Americans who suffer from chronic or treatment-resistant depression and have run out of treatment options.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression to be Launched in May
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Final FDA approval of vagus nerve stimulation as a therapy for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression to be issued in May. Psychiatrists will then officially be able to prescribe this remarkable, life changing therapy for patients.
- Major Symposium About Vagus Nerve Stimulation & Depression at the American Psychiatric Association
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] A major symposium about vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent depression will be presented at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in May. This is the largest gathering of psychiatrists in the world and over 25,000 psychiatrists will be in attendance.
- Neuromodulation Is Now The Mainstream Therapy For Chronic Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] The cover of the March 7, 2005 issue of Business Week titled REWIRING THE HUMAN BODY, describes how neuromodulation brings new hope to the four million desperate patients in the United States who suffer from the debilitating disease of chronic or treatment-resistant depression.
- FDA Deems Vagus Nerve Therapy Approvable as a Treatment for Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] On February 3, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) deemed vagus nerve stimulation approvable as a treatment for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. This is one of the major breakthroughs in medical device history.
- Know the Signs of Depression and Improve Your Life
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] It's very important to know the signs of depression. You need to be able to identify the signs in yourself, your family and your loved ones. You may be able to save someone's life.
- A Look at the Different Depression and Anxiety Medications
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Within the past several years, depression and anxiety medications have become enormous in popularity, be it from prescribing physicians, drug companies, or (and most importantly !) patients with depression. Whether it is the infiltration of our televisions with ads about depression, loneliness, and anxiety, an overheard conversation, or a recommendation from a friend or family member, depression and anxiety medications have become a part of the daily lexicon for most of us.
- The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] This article is the Introduction from the book to be published September 15th, 2004. The 174 page book includes a description of the implant procedure, the side effects, the remarkable results, insurance issues and codes as well as the latest information about the disease of depression.
- Signs of Suicide : Learn What They are and How to Deal with Them
[Health-and-Fitness:Medicine] Knowing about the warning signs of suicide can help save the life of a loved one. It is estimated that there are more than 31,000 suicides every year in the United States, about 11 out of every 100,000 people. This number breaks down to about four suicides per hour, and it is estimated that an attempt is made about once a minute. The true numbers are probably much higher because many suicides are reported as accidents or illnesses. Suicides are usually the result of a complex combination of emotional, social, and biological factors. For that reason, learning about the warning signs of suicide can be difficult yet so important.
- Chronic Depression: Disease or Charcter Flaw?
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] On June 15th, 2004, the FDA Medical Devices Panel recommended approval of the vagus nerve stimulator as a treatment for chronic depression. Learn how this remarkable device can change your life...
- Adult Men and Women Who Suffer From Chronic Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] This article focuses on the 4.5 million American adult men and women who suffer from the debilitating disease of chronic depression. There is a new alternative therapy for sufferers from this debilitating disease: vagus nerve stimulation.
- New Treatment for Chronic Depression
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] On June 15th, the FDA Medical Device Advisory Panel recommended approval of the vagus nerve stimulator as a long-term treatment for chronic depression. Learn more about what this remarkable device can do for you. It can change your life.
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