Treatment-Resistant Depression – Westfield, NJ
When Traditional Depression Treatments Aren't Enough
Depression is a relatively common and frustrating condition that leaves individuals with persistent feelings of sadness, a lack of interest in activities, and an overall diminished quality of life. If your depression isn’t responding to traditional antidepressants, you may have treatment-resistant depression. Fortunately, at Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center, we offer safe, effective, and FDA-approved therapies that are designed to tackle treatment-resistant depression and help Westfield, NJ patients feel like themselves again. Take the first step to overcome your treatment-resistant depression and contact us today.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)?
Like typical depression, treatment-resistant depression (TRD) can cause disinterest, despair, emptiness, fatigue, and more. Typically, many people with depression find relief for these symptoms through antidepressants and talk therapy. However, WebMD reports that as many as 1/3 of patients with depression do not feel results even after multiple different medication attempts. This is aptly called treatment-resistant depression.
If you’ve tried two, three, or even four different types of antidepressants with little or no improvement to your mood, you may have TRD. The only way to know for sure is to visit a trained professional who can diagnose mental health conditions. Talk to your current health provider or contact Dr. Bolona to discover if you might have treatment-resistant depression.
Effective Solutions for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Fortunately, despite this condition’s name, there are ways to manage and even overcome treatment-resistant depression. We are proud to offer innovative services that have been approved by the FDA for treating this seemingly inescapable problem. When traditional depression treatments aren’t enough, we may recommend TMS therapy or SPRAVATO.
TMS Therapy
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free option for addressing mental health conditions like treatment-resistant depression. We’ll send magnetic pulses (like those used for MRIs) to the area of the brain that is associated with depression. This stimulates the underactive neurons there, encouraging them to fire differently and form healthier pathways.
During your 20-minute appointment, you’ll relax in our treatment chair. You can read, listen to music, or chat with whoever is in the room with you. Afterwards, there will be no post-treatment sluggishness, so you can return to the rest of your day without interruption!
SPRAVATO
SPRAVATO (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray that the FDA has approved for TRD treatment. This medication is different from typical antidepressants because it targets specific receptors in the brain that play a role in mood regulation. Plus, while oral antidepressants may take weeks to show results, SPRAVATO will typically take just a few hours.
This medication is administered in-office during a two-hour appointment. One of our highly experienced professionals will monitor you while you sit back, relax, and enjoy the effects as your brain creates better connections. Afterwards, you may feel somewhat groggy, so you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home.
Help Is Closer Than You Think
Depression and the trial-and-error process of trying to find a medication to treat can cause a loss in motivation when it comes to seeking the care you need. That’s why we’ve made it as easy as possible to start your journey towards wellness. Take our free online ADHD assessment, request a telehealth or in-person consultation, or schedule a treatment at one of our offices today.
Treatment-Resistant Depression FAQs
If you have been struggling with treatment-resistant depression, rest assured that our team feels great empathy and compassion for you. We want to help! Of course, we understand if you want more information about our treatment options before you commit to anything. You are welcome to ask questions during your consultation. We also invite you to review the FAQs listed below. Hopefully, you will find some useful insight!
How Effective Is TMS Therapy?
According to one estimate, transcranial magnetic stimulation has a success rate between 70% and 80%. About half of patients experience a complete remission of symptoms, while others notice a at least a 50% reduction in symptoms. While the results are not always permanent, they can be long-lasting.
How Effective Is Spravato?
In one trial, around 70% of Spravato patients experience at least a 50% reduction in their depression symptoms. Other studies have also shown Spravato to be consistently successful, especially when it is used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.
Is TMS Therapy Safe?
TMS therapy is generally considered to be very safe. It is completely non-invasive, and if any side effects occur, they are usually mild and tend to go away within 24 hours. For example, some patients experience a minor headache, twitching of the facial muscles, and lightheadedness. TMS may not be safe for pregnant individuals, as well as those with certain types of implants. Our team will thoroughly screen you to make sure you are a low-risk candidate for treatment.
Is Spravato Safe?
Spravato has been approved by the FDA as a means for treating TRD, so you can be confident that it has been well-studied. Of course, just like any pharmaceutical substance, it is not totally risk-free. Some common side effects include increased blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and feelings of anxiety. Usually, these symptoms go away quite quickly. In fact, in both long-term and short-term clinical studies, less than 7% of patients stopped using Spravato due to side effects.
For most patients, the rewards of Spravato far outweigh any potential risks.
Does Insurance Cover Treatment for TRD?
Many insurance companies cover Spravato and TMS. Our team can help you figure out how your benefits apply and help you get preapproval for your recommended treatment plan. If your insurance will not pay for your care, we can talk to you about other options. We want you to be able to afford your treatment, so you can rely on us to assist you as you navigate the financial side of your therapy.
