Treat Depression at Home with Flow Neuroscience

How common is depression in UK adults?

The latest available data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that on average, around 18% of people in the UK experienced moderate to severe symptoms of depression between June 2020 and October 2022.

This data was collected based on responses to a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) used by healthcare professionals nationwide. The questionnaire generates a score based on 8 questions, with patients reflecting on their experiences over the last two weeks. It asks things like how often you’ve had trouble concentrating, had issues with your sleep, had trouble concentrating and focussing on things, and whether you’ve experienced feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and/or failure in that time. Each question has four response options with a score against each:

• Not at all (0)

• Several days (1)

• More than half the days (2)

• Almost every day (3)

A score of 10 or above indicates moderate depressive symptoms. Using this scoring method helps people and their healthcare providers to differentiate between what might be temporary responses to life’s day-to-day challenges, and when symptoms of depression might be eased with clinical intervention.

How is depression treated in the UK?

The NHS outlines a range of treatment options that can be tried to help alleviate the symptoms of depression. Non-medical options for people considered to be experiencing mild depressive symptoms include guided self-help and talking therapies. These tend to focus on learning cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques and practicing applying them to potentially stressful situations that can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety. Counselling is another form of talking therapy that can help some people to process their thoughts and feelings, and support in finding solutions to issues faced. Exercise is another self-care technique that’s been found to help reduce the effects of depression and boost mood.

For moderate to severe symptoms of depression, treatments suggested may include antidepressants. There are different types of antidepressants, and they all require a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. Common antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and noradrenaline and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NASSAs). As with all medicines, each individual antidepressant will have its own side effects and suitability based on a range of factors. It’s important to have a full consultation with your doctor or prescribing clinician before starting any course of antidepressant medication. Equally, if you’re considering stopping your antidepressant medication, a full review with your doctor is required to determine a safe reduction plan with the right post-treatment support in place.

Combination therapy is another option for severe depression symptoms, which combines an antidepressant prescription medication with talking therapy, such as counselling or CBT.

Brain stimulation is a depression treatment that incorporates a variety of techniques, ranging from invasive (such as electroconvulsive therapy, also referred to as ECT) to completely non-invasive methods like tDCS.

What is tDCS?

tDCS stands for transcranial direct current stimulation. This is a type of brain stimulation that uses a very low current of electricity to encourage the brain’s neurons (nerve cells) to fire, targeting the areas of the brain that help to regulate our mood. Some clinical trials suggest that tDCS may help some patients over time to reduce symptoms of depression and boost their mood.

Flow Neuroscience utilises this technique in the form of its headset device. It’s designed for use in adults with symptoms of depression, in the comfort and privacy of your own home, and offers flexibility to fit in with your lifestyle and daily routine. It’s designed for use in conjunction with the Flow behavioural therapy app, offering a holistic approach to treatment.

How Flow is helping people living with depression

So far, over 20,000 adults have chosen to try Flow as an at-home, treatment to ease the symptoms of depression. A 172-participant study evaluated the safety and feasibility of at-home use. In addition, over 30 published clinical trials have investigated tDCS for depression more broadly.

In an overall assessment of evidence by the National Institute for Clinical Evidence (NICE), Flow was described as demonstrating, “high-quality, comparative evidence from the UK that [it] can improve symptoms of depression and lead to remission. This evidence is from people using the technology at home.”

Although NICE has assessed the published evidence, Flow is currently not part of the NICE guidance for the treatment of depression.

You can read more about these studies in Flow’s results and reviews, including a 2024 study that examined the impact Flow's headset had on female participants experiencing postpartum depression.

Watch first-hand how Flow made a difference to Annie’s life in Flow’s video case study.

Side effects and contraindications

While many people tolerate the Flow Neuroscience headset well, there are known side effects and important contraindications to consider. It’s always best to discuss any treatment like this with a qualified healthcare professional before starting. 

Common side effects 

These effects are generally mild and reported by less than 5% of users . 

• Skin reactions — pain, redness, irritation, or minor burns at the electrode sites. 

• Headache — often mild and temporary. 

• Tinnitus — ringing in the ears. 

• Worsening of depressive symptoms — including increased anxiety. 

• Tiredness, fatigue, or sleep disturbances — sometimes occurring as the body adjusts. 

Most side effects tend to improve as users continue treatment, but persistent or worsening symptoms should be discussed with a clinician. 

How you can try Flow today

The Flow Neuroscience team has a long-term vision of making effective and convenient mental health treatment more accessible. Flow has been piloted in partnership with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Flow has been available to patients in this region through four pilot schemes since March 2023.

The Flow tDCS headset is also available to purchase for at-home use in conjunction with its behavioural therapy app, which offers practical guidance and support to provide a holistic approach to recovery. The app provides detailed instructions for use through the activation phase (first 3 weeks) and strengthening phase (following 7 weeks). Depending on your experience during the first 10 weeks, some users may choose to continue for a further 6 or 12 months. You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the headset on the Flow Neuroscience homepage.

If you have a change of mind and decide the headset isn't for you, Flow offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. The device also comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty for extra peace of mind.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, we’d always recommend speaking to your GP or healthcare provider for advice and support. If you’re considering the Flow headset and want to chat to your doctor about it, Flow has put together this leaflet with information for healthcare professionals to take with you.

Flow is a medical device intended for use in adults experiencing symptoms of depression. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting treatment.

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