Guide to Depression Treatment: Finding the Right Path to Remission

Key Takeaways

• Beyond Management: The goal of depression treatment is shifting from merely managing symptoms to achieving full remission.
• Precision Targeting: Unlike standard depression treatments, SAINT® therapy uses fMRI brain mapping to find the individual “circuit” requiring intervention.
• Rapid Remission: Clinical results show that people living with depression can achieve a 79% remission rate within a five-day SAINT treatment duration.¹
• Accelerated Care: SAINT therapy condenses months of traditional therapy into just five days, significantly reducing the time away from work and family.

When you are living with depression, the search for an effective depression treatment can feel intimidating. If you have tried standard treatments without finding the relief you need, it is important to understand that your struggle is not a failure of willpower, resilience, or character. Just as heart disease is a physical condition that requires a clinical solution, major depressive disorder (MDD) is a biological reality of brain health. It does not reflect who you are, but rather how your brain is currently functioning.

In many people living with depression—particularly those with treatment-resistant depression—the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a region responsible for executive function and mood regulation, becomes hypoactive or underactive. Because the underlying circuitry of every brain is wired differently, the way you respond to a treatment for depression is as unique as your own DNA. While conventional medications take a systemic approach, your brain may simply require a more targeted intervention to remedy specific neural circuitry and restore the natural balance.

Effective depression treatment options have expanded in recent years, with many shifting the goal from merely managing symptoms to achieving full remission. Of course, you will still experience the natural ups and downs of life, but you will no longer be trapped in the persistent, immovable sadness that characterizes a depressive episode. One of the most significant breakthroughs in achieving this state is SAINT therapy, the first and only FDA-cleared brain stimulation therapy that combines personalized brain targeting with an accelerated 5-day stimulation series to bring adults struggling with MDD rapid, lasting remission.

The Foundation: Holistic and Lifestyle Measures

Before exploring clinical interventions, it is essential to understand the so-called “biological scaffolds” that support brain health. While these measures are often the first line of defense for mild depression, we recognize that for someone in a deep depressive episode, these low-barrier steps can feel nearly impossible to achieve.

• Physical Activity: Movement serves as a foundation for mood regulation by releasing endorphins, while mindfulness practices synergistically lower cortisol.
• Sleep and Circadian Rhythm: There is a bidirectional link between restorative sleep and brain health; stabilizing your sleep-wake cycle is critical for long-term recovery.
• Nutrition and Social Connection: Fueling the brain correctly and maintaining community ties are vital for resiliency and preventing future episodes.

These strategies are most effective when used to maintain brain health after a primary intervention has addressed depressive episodes clinically.

Understanding Your Depression Treatment Options

Navigating the different depression treatment options available requires an objective look at the benefits and limitations of current standards of care. Each approach targets the biological or psychological roots of the condition differently.

The Behavioral Approach to Depression Treatment

For many, the first step involves sitting down with a clinician to untangle the psychological roots of their experience. Methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) function like exercise for the brain. You work to identify deep-seated negative thought patterns and replace them with resilient coping mechanisms.

While this approach offers the benefit of zero medical side effects and provides valuable tools for life, the timeline is often long. It generally requires months of weekly sessions and a high level of emotional energy to achieve results. For those seeking immediate relief, the gradual pace of talk therapy can sometimes feel at odds with the urgency of their suffering and may need to be paired with another intervention for better results.

The Pharmacological Approach to Depression Treatment

When the biological weight of depression is too heavy for therapy alone, conventional treatments like antidepressants are often introduced. These medications, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), act as a chemical “buffer,” aiming to increase the availability of neurotransmitters like serotonin or norepinephrine in the brain. While this approach helps many people living with depression, it also treats the condition as a chemical imbalance throughout the entire body. This is not the case with treatment-resistant depression.

Research has shown that for those living with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), the root cause is often tied to dysfunctional brain circuitry rather than just a chemical deficit. This shift in understanding has led to the development of advanced treatments that go beyond systemic medication to modulate these specific neural pathways. SAINT therapy is at the forefront of this evolution, utilizing fMRI-guided precision to identify and stimulate the exact circuits responsible for mood regulation, effectively “re-tuning” the brain’s signaling to achieve rapid remission.

Medications like these can often involve trial and error. Because these drugs are systemic, meaning they affect your entire body to reach your brain, it can take 4-6 weeks to determine if a specific pill is working. During this waiting period, many people are still left to deal with frustrating side effects such as weight gain, sleep disturbances, or a sense of blunted emotions. If the first medication fails, the clock resets, and the process begins again with a new prescription. Only 25% of people achieved remission with their first antidepressant, and just 35% had success after trying four different medications².

Achieving True Resiliency

While these standard options help many, they often focus on managing symptoms over time. The potential outcome of these treatments is gradual stabilization, with the “lows” of depression becoming less frequent. 

However, for those who do not find success with standard treatments, there are other options designed to target the brain’s electrical circuits directly to restore normalcy.

The Reality of Treatment-Resistant Depression

For approximately 30% of people living with depression, conventional treatments do not provide adequate relief. This is known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), typically defined as failing to improve after two or more medication trials.

The frustration of the 4-6 week waiting period for traditional antidepressants to start working can be exhausting. When medications fail to bridge the gap, it does not mean your depression is untreatable. It often means your specific brain circuits require a more targeted, localized approach than systemic medication can provide.

Advanced Interventions: TMS and ECT

When medication and therapy are insufficient, neuromodulation offers a non-invasive medical alternative that directly targets the brain’s electrical signaling.

• Standard TMS: Transcranial magnetic stimulation is non-invasive and uses magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive brain regions. While effective, it typically requires daily clinic visits for six weeks and uses a one-size-fits-all approach to targeting. The six-week commitment can be a significant barrier. Between career and family obligations, the need for extended leave often makes this conventional approach a difficult option for most 
• ECT: Historically a gold standard for severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is highly effective but involves a more intensive medical process. It works by passing small electric currents through the brain to intentionally trigger a brief, controlled seizure, which causes changes in brain chemistry that can reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions. Because of this, it requires general anesthesia and can carry significant cognitive side effects, such as temporary memory loss and confusion.
• Esketamine: A rapid-acting medication administered via nasal spray under clinical supervision, esketamine works on the glutamate system to promote new neural connections. While it can provide some relief for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal ideation who have previously received at least 2 antidepressant treatments that were ineffective, it requires a significant time commitment. Patients must remain in the clinic for two hours of observation after each dose to monitor for side effects like dissociation, respiratory depression, or increased blood pressure.

What Makes SAINT Therapy Different?

SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) represents a paradigm shift in how we approach brain health. By combining proprietary algorithms with fMRI-guided precision, it personalizes treatment to an individual’s unique brain connectivity.

• fMRI-Guided Precision: SAINT utilizes proprietary algorithms and individual fMRI brain mapping to identify the exact functional connectivity of your brain. This ensures that the aiTBS (accelerated intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation) is delivered to the precise coordinates where your specific neural circuits require activation.
• Accelerated Timeline: While conventional neuromodulation requires a 6-week+ commitment, SAINT condenses the entire treatment into just five days with incredible success rates. By delivering 10 targeted sessions per day with precise rest intervals, the treatment leverages the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to achieve rapid remission.
• Minimal Disruption: The condensed five-day treatment schedule drastically improves accessibility, allowing people living with depression to complete their care within a single business week and minimizing the need for extended leaves of absence from work and family responsibilities.

The Clinical Evidence for Remission

The efficacy of SAINT has been established through rigorous clinical research. In a randomized controlled trial, SAINT achieved a 79% remission rate within the study window.1

Beyond the high success rate, the speed of recovery represents a breakthrough in brain health. Data from an open-label study showed that 90% of participants achieved full remission from their depression symptoms in an average of 2.6 days². It is also FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults who have failed to improve from prior antidepressant medication in their current episode, providing a validated, rapid-acting alternative for those who need immediate help.

Is Precision Neuromodulation Right for You?

You may be a candidate for SAINT therapy if:

1. You have tried one or more antidepressants without achieving full relief.
2. You are seeking a non-drug, non-invasive alternative to manage your brain health 
3. You need a rapid-acting solution that delivers results within days, not months.

A New Era for Brain Health

If you feel you have reached a plateau with standard treatments, you’re not alone. Often, this is just a signal that you need a different type of care. Magnus Medical is pioneering a new era of brain health where data-driven science meets human-centric care.

The journey toward recovery no longer has to be a months-long process. The speed and accuracy of SAINT therapy have made it possible for people living with depression to find relief and get back to activities in their lives.

You don’t have to navigate treatment alone. Whether you are a provider looking to offer the latest in brain health technology or an individual seeking rapid relief, the path to recovery is closer than ever. Find a SAINT provider near you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Depression Treatment

How do I know which depression treatment is right for me? 

Choosing a path depends on your symptom severity, medical history, and how you have responded to previous interventions. While therapy and medication are common starting points, those who have not found relief after multiple trials may benefit from investigating advanced neuromodulation.You can determine your eligibility with a Verified SAINT Provider. 

What is the difference between “managing depression” and “remission”? 

Management involves reducing symptoms so they are less intrusive in daily life. Remission is the ultimate goal, where symptoms have decreased so significantly that you no longer meet the clinical criteria for a depressive episode.

Why do some depression treatments take weeks to start working? 

Most oral antidepressants require time to change chemical signaling and allow for neuroplastic changes in the brain. This buildup period usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, which can be a difficult waiting period for those in acute distress.

What are the common side effects of non-medication treatments? 

Psychotherapy is emotionally demanding but has no physical side effects. Neuromodulation like SAINT is non-invasive and avoids systemic issues like weight gain or nausea. The most common side effects are mild, temporary headaches or scalp discomfort during the treatment sessions.

How does SAINT therapy differ from conventional depression treatments? 

Unlike conventional treatments that can take months to show results, SAINT is an accelerated, five-day treatment. It uses personalized fMRI mapping to target specific brain circuits, resulting in a 79% remission rate¹ and an average of 2.6 days to remission.²

Can I continue with my current antidepressant regimen while I bring on SAINT?

In nearly all cases, yes. In clinical trials of SAINT, medical researchers required patients to remain on their stable antidepressant regimen (even if that meant they were not on any medications) for scientific purposes. Your registered SAINT provider will help determine the best treatment plan for you.

1 Cole, E. J., et al. (2022). Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT): A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. The American journal of Psychiatry, 179(2), 132–141. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.20101429

2 Cole, E. J., et al. (2020). Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression. The American journal of psychiatry, 177(8), 716–726. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19070720