According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 5% of the world’s adult population suffers from depression – and the trend is rising. In addition to measures such as talking or behavioral therapies, “self-care” and the like, there are a variety of antidepressants on the market that are intended to put an end to the bleak thoughts and paralyzing numbness that prevail in severe depression.
The consumption of psychotropic drugs is growing – and not just in Germany. Despite this, drug therapy only works for around one in three people.
The search for alternative methods in the fight against depression is therefore ongoing and is gradually bringing new therapeutic approaches to light – such as Botox® therapy for depression.
Botox® therapy for depression is offered in our practices in Baden-Baden and Stuttgart.
Duration
Approx. 5-15 minutes
Fit for social life
Usually right away
Follow-up check
4 weeks after treatment
Durability
The symptoms improve immediately. The final result of treatment with botulinum toxin is achieved after 14 days.
Side effects
Redness may occur at the puncture sites.
Post-treatment
Sunbathing, the sauna and sports should be avoided for at least 48 hours.
Pregnant women / nursing mothers
Treatment with botulinum toxin A during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not recommended.
BOTOX® REDUCES DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
The positive influence of botulinum toxin A on mood was discovered by chance: patients who had their frown lines, or more precisely the glabella region, treated with botulinum toxin A reported the mood-lifting effect that set in after it began to take effect. This observation was taken up by scientists and researched further.
Botox® reduces facial expressions – this is intentional: muscles should “fire” less strongly and the skin should “wrinkle” less, which should also prophylactically prevent the formation of wrinkles. As emotions such as sadness, upset or anger, which are normally expressed in face, are significantly weakened by the restriction of the muscles, this has a positive effect on the brain‘s “self-perception”: the feedback from the facial muscles to the brain (amygdala) about one’s “own condition” is reduced by the less sad or angry facial expressions. This in turn also curbs the force of one’s own emotions – according to the theory behind the facial feedback hypothesis.* This not only relaxes the muscles, but also makes the patient feel better.
MUSCLE RELAXATION WITH BOTOX = RELAXATION OF THE SOUL
Even if the final connections between facial expressions and the psyche are not yet 100% clear and botulinum toxin A should not be the sole therapy for depression, we are happy to make use of the effect. The injection is made into the glabella region (“frown lines”) where the neurotoxin begins to take effect after about three days and shows its full effect after two weeks.
Compared to antidepressants, Botox has hardly any side effects and is not stressful for the patient. The effect lasts between 3-6 months and the injection can be repeated at any time.
*Schulze, Neumann, Magid et al, Botulinum toxin for the management of depression: An updated review of the evidence and meta-analysis, Journal of Psychiatric Research Volume 135, March 2021, Pages 332-340, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.01.016
Costs from 350 € (based on the German Medical Fee Schedule, or GOÄ)
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