Dr Michelle Magid, Dr Jason Reichenberg and Tyler Willenbrink discuss the use of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of depression
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall burden of disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).1, 21 An estimated 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression.1 Depression varies from person to person, with some experiencing mild changes in mood and energy and others experiencing a significant sense of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness. Signs and symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, loss of ability to feel pleasure, changes in sleep and eating behaviours, loss of energy, poor concentration, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. It is still unclear exactly what causes depression; leading researchers believe it may be due an imbalance of hormones or chemicals in the brain (i.e. serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, testosterone, cortisol), or…
