News on treating depression

The latest news on treating depression is that an anaesthetic (ketamine) could potentially be used to treat depression, quickly and effectively (even in those who have resisted other treatments).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5253800.stm

At the moment this is still in its initial stages of research. Ketamine as it is now has dangerous side-effects such as hallucinations, and it would not be appropriate to give it to people affected by depression. However, it is something which might be of use in the future. It also sounds like it could be a useful treatment option for people who are acutely depressed or suicidal.

I’m left wondering how this sort of treatment would work for people with long-term depressive illnesses – for instance with the sort of people who are at the moment on anti-depressants for years or even for life.
Or maybe this is just a fleeting idea about the treatment of depression which will be forgotten and replaced with other ideas!

What do people think?