BRIGhTMIND is the name of a research study taking place in Nottingham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, London and Oldham. The study is researching the effectiveness of two  types of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatments designed to help people who are experiencing depression for which traditional treatments like medication and talking therapies or counselling haven’t worked. This type of depression is called treatment resistant depression.

Recruitment has now closed, with 255 people participating in the BRIGhTMIND study and receiving TMS treatment.

“TMS is designed to support the brain’s natural electrical activity. Some people say that they think of TMS as a way of ‘jump starting’ a flat battery or re-connecting a loose cable to a lamp!”

What is treatment resistant depression?

Antidepressants and talking therapies help only two thirds of people with depression. For the remaining third, the struggle to cope can be especially tough. Treatment resistant depression is the name given to the kind of depression experienced by these people, who for example has not responded to at least two previous antidepressant treatments.

“Having a diagnosis of Treatment Resistant Depression is like being punched in the stomach not once but twice. Not only do I have a diagnosis of depression but it’s resistant to treatment – which means that no end of medication cocktails makes little difference. This demon called depression is not only casting a shadow over my everyday but has some kind of dark super-power.  A Darth-Vader Depression.  Fighting it is exhausting and sometimes I give in”.   Rebecca, 46

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