NOVEL AND EMERGING THERAPIES FOR DEPRESSION: FROM SSRIs TO PSYCHEDELIC – ASSISTED INTERVENTIONS

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent and disabling psychiatric illnesses worldwide and represents a substantial public health challenge across all age groups. Epidemiological evidence indicates that hundreds of millions of individuals are affected globally, contributing significantly to years lived with disability and loss of productivity.[1,2] Beyond the emotional burden experienced by patients, depression is associated with impaired social functioning, reduced quality of life, increased healthcare utilization, and heightened risk of comorbid medical disorders including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic pain syndromes.[3] Importantly, depression remains a major risk factor for suicide and premature mortality, further emphasizing the urgency of effective therapeutic strategies.[4] For several decades, pharmacological management has centered primarily on monoaminergic antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin– norepinephrine