Created by experts. Recommended by doctors
Created by experts. Recommended by doctors
tDCS for depression
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique used to treat depression by stimulating neural activity through gentle currents.
The Flow depression treatment
Brain stimulation headset &
App-based behaviour therapy
“Flow works
by using tDCS to modulate brain circuitries in the prefrontal cortex, this is the large area we have at the front of our brain, and these regions are responsible for what we call the executive functions, working memory, attention, planning, inhibitory control, emotion and cognitive regulation.”
Dr Ana Ganho Ávila Clinical Psychologist
What does Flow feel like?
Will Flow work for me?
We know as well as you that there is no one treatment for depression. Finding what works for you and your depression is important; Flow can be used as a stand-alone treatment or combined with your current treatment plan.
Flow might be for you if:
- You are interested in self-managing your depression at home
- You would like to have an option that is not reliant on medication
- You would like to supplement your therapy with a digital solution
Frequent questions
Feeling blue most of the day, nearly every day, and losing interest in activities are the hallmarks of depression. When going through depression, the symptoms, such as changed appetite, lack of energy or feeling excessive guilt, don’t disappear like you would expect them to if you were just experiencing ordinary sadness or fatigue. There are several depressive symptoms and criteria to consider before receiving a diagnosis and you need help from a physician or clinical psychologist to make sure all of the criteria for depression are met.
If you have experienced at least five depressive symptoms for at least two weeks, you may be diagnosed with depression. Take the validated standardised depression self-questionnaire here: Am I depressed?
There are many depression treatments available, but there is no one treatment that helps everyone with depression. This means you may have to try several treatments, in combination or alone, to find what works for you:
- Psychotherapy with a psychologist will not only get you out of depression but also give you tools for how to manage life in new ways and break old patterns of behaviour. There are many types of psychotherapy, for example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Short-term Psychodynamic Therapy (STPP) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Psychotherapy is recommended for mild to moderate depression.
- Antidepressant medication is a well-used treatment recommended for moderate to severe depression. There are several types of antidepressants and the most common form is called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). It’s important to be aware of the possible side effects and withdrawal symptoms before taking antidepressants. Read more about antidepressant medication.
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a form of gentle brain stimulation that you can use at home. It restores the brain activity in an area in the frontal lobe which is usually reduced in depressed people. Currently, there is a growing use and application of tDCS due to its mild side effect profile. It’s recommended for mild to moderate depression, but can be used in all cases of depression. Read more about tDCS.
- Some lifestyle factors have a significant impact on depressive symptoms. Regular exercise is as effective as antidepressants or psychotherapy for treating depression. Other important lifestyle factors are sleep, diet and regular meditation. Read more about 5 treatments for depression without medication.
tDCS is as effective as antidepressant medication or psychotherapy when it comes to treating depression. As with all evidence-based treatments for depression, tDCS works very well for some people, but others don’t get the results they hoped for.
You should be able to feel a reduction of your depressive symptoms in about 3-4 weeks if it’s a treatment that works for you.
What makes tDCS increasingly popular is its mild side effect profile. Also, the fact that the technique is backed by more than 20 placebo-controlled trials, published in peer-reviewed journals. Read more about the effectiveness and history of tDCS here.
With Flow, you can access the technique remotely with a portable device, right from your own home.
Any further questions?
When is Flow available in your country?
One of the most common questions we get is “When is Flow available in my country?”. People who suffer from depression reach out to us from every corner of the world, wanting to try this new treatment. Don’t worry. We’re working day and night to make the Flow treatment available all over the globe. We understand that the world needs it.
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Want to learn more about depression?
Sign up to get our psychologist’s guide to treating depression and see our latest evidence-based advice here.
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