When depression continues despite trying multiple treatments, it can be difficult to know what comes next. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) does not mean you have run out of options. It may mean it is time to consider a different approach.
Medications, psychotherapy, and other treatments can help many people manage depression, but they do not work the same way for everyone. When traditional approaches have not provided enough relief, it may be time to look beyond the treatments you have already tried. Medical researchers have explored innovative options like esketamine treatment for depression and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to unlock new avenues for patients struggling with TRD. In Northern Virginia, esketamine treatment is available through specialized behavioral health practices such as Inspire Behavioral Health.
How Esketamine Treatment for Depression Works
Spravato™ (esketamine) is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray used to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants, esketamine works on the brain’s glutamate system. For some patients, this different mechanism may provide relief when traditional approaches have not been enough.
For individuals who have not experienced adequate relief from standard antidepressant treatment, esketamine represents a different therapeutic approach. However, it is not appropriate for everyone. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether Spravato may be an appropriate treatment option based on an individual’s symptoms, medical history, and previous treatment experiences.
When Spravato is Considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Spravato is intended for adults whose depression has not responded adequately to at least two different oral antidepressant treatments. Reaching this point can be frustrating, particularly when someone has invested significant time and effort into finding a treatment that works.
Esketamine does not replace the need for individualized psychiatric care. Instead, it can be considered as part of a broader treatment plan when conventional approaches have not provided sufficient improvement. It works best when paired with appropriate mental and behavioral health treatments.
What Patients Should Expect During Spravato Treatment
One of the most important things to understand about esketamine treatment is that it is administered under professional supervision. Spravato is a controlled substance and not taken independently at home. The treatment is administered in a clinical setting and patients are closely monitored for side effects for approximately two hours. Patients should follow the clinic’s instructions regarding transportation and activities after treatment.
At Inspire Behavioral Health, patients begin with two clinic visits per week during the first four weeks. Depending on the individual’s treatment plan and response, sessions may then transition to once-weekly or every-other-week visits.
Your Options When Traditional Treatments Hasn’t Provided Relief
Esketamine works differently from many traditional antidepressants and may begin affecting depressive symptoms more quickly than conventional medications for some patients. Its effects on the glutamate system and neuroplasticity are areas of ongoing clinical research. The goal is not simply to add another medication to a treatment plan. It is to determine whether a different approach can help someone who has not found enough relief through traditional treatment.
Like any medication, Spravato can cause side effects. Temporary effects may include dizziness, nausea, sedation, or dissociation.
Considering Esketamine Treatment for Depression in Northern Virginia?
For adults seeking Spravato treatment in Northern Virginia, Inspire Behavioral Health provides supervised esketamine therapy as part of its interventional psychiatry services. Treatment begins with an evaluation to understand your history, current symptoms, and previous treatment experiences and determine whether esketamine may be an appropriate option. You have not run out of options simply because the treatments you have tried have not worked.
At Inspire Behavioral Health, our licensed clinicians provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each person’s needs. We take the time to review your treatment history, discuss your symptoms and concerns, and explain whether esketamine may be an appropriate option for you. If you are considering a new approach to treatment-resistant depression, call Inspire Behavioral Health at 703-592-4600 to schedule a confidential consultation and learn more about your treatment options.