Botox may treat depression
- Army veteran Vivian Cooke found relief from her debilitating depression three years ago while taking part in a clinical trial assessing botox in the disorder
- When injected into the face, botox calms the muscles, easing depression
- Pharmaceutical giant Allergan is in the final development stages of investigating its botox product in the mental health disorder before seeking its approval
- Aside from its cosmetic uses, botox treats headache, sweating and stiff muscles
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
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Depression can be crippling, with symptoms ranging from lasting feelings of hopelessness to even physical aches and pains.
The little-understood mental health condition may affect up to one in four people at some point in their lives.
With varied evidence of available treatments’ effectiveness, army veteran Vivian Cooke relies on botox to help combat her debilitating depression.
Ms Cooke had tried numerous alternative therapies and medications without success before giving the unlikely cosmetic treatment a try three years ago.
Although botox is typically associated with giving users youthful looks, it may help to ease mental health conditions by blocking the facial expressions that send signals to the brain and are linked to low mood.
Botox may help to ease depression by calming the facial muscles linked to negative emotions
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COULD BOTOX TREAT DEMENTIA?
Youthful looks may boost self-esteem, which could have a regenerating effect on the body.
According to Dr Foad Nahai, professor of surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
Internalising stress about ageing can cause brain changes.
Yet, other experts argue dementia cannot always be prevented or delayed.
Additional experts highlight the importance of good general health to minimise your risk.
Ms Cooke said: ‘I found overall my mood was better on a day-to-day basis. I had less problems with depression,’ CBS News reported.
She was participating in a clinical trial assessing botox in depression.
The study has since completed, but Ms Cooke will continue to receive the injections.
Dr. Eric Finzi, Chevy Chase Cosmetic Center, Maryland, said: ‘Botox basically inhibits the muscle and calms it down, so it becomes more difficult to feel those negative emotions.’
On 5 April 2017, pharmaceutical giant Allergan announced the results of its clinical trial assessing botox in depression were sufficiently encouraging to move the treatment on to the next stage of development.
Dr Finzi said: ‘Our hope is eventually it will form a place as one of the tools to treat depression.’
Although associated with cosmetics, botox is also approved to treat headache and sweating
Botox is a prescription drug that is injected into muscles to block their nerve signals.
It is used cosmetically to temporarily improve frown lines between the eyes and crow’s feet around the sides of the eyes.
Its medical uses include treating bladder incontinence, severe sweating, headache and muscle stiffness.
Researchers are also investigating botox’s potential at treating social anxiety and bipolar disorder.
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