Telemedicine Offers Hope to Depression Sufferers

A recent study opens new avenues for individuals with depression: Therapy conducted with video medicine can work just as well as in-person visits. This means that patients who have limited mobility, who live in remote areas, or who do not seek treatment openly due to stigmas may soon be able to access psychotherapy treatments privately from their homes or local medical clinics.

As described in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, the researchers found that the levels of satisfaction and symptom relief among the patients using telemedicine had no significant difference from those using in-person visits. Although the study focused on elderly veterans, analyses suggest that other demographics would have similar results.

Depression affects approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population and is one of the leading causes of disability and death. However, nearly half of these patients do not receive any treatment, largely due to problems with travel distance, transportation, mobility, or time off work. In addition, some patients fear the perceived public disgrace associated with mental illness, making them fear that seeking help may publicize their disorder. Telemedicine can overcome most of these issues by offering treatment in a more convenient and private setting.

To read more about the study, click here.

To learn how swyMed can be used for treating depression and other mental illnesses, contact us online here.