Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively impacts the way you feel, think, and how you act. If you have been treated for depression but your symptoms failed to improve, you may be suffering from treatment-resistant depression. This does not have a particular cause, or no same solution may work for everyone.
With treatment-resistant depression, standard treatments are not enough. The medical team of depression Sandy Springs specializes in treatment-resistant depression by providing innovative therapies. A customized treatment plan is designed for your individual mental health needs.
An introduction to treatment-resistant depression
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a type of major depressive disorder (MDD). This occurs even after treating depression with first-line antidepressants is not enough to manage the condition.
Most people can be effectively treated for depression through antidepressants or psychological counseling (psychotherapy) to ease their symptoms. But this may not be the case if you suffer from TRD.
TRD could present with the following symptoms:
- A feeling of sadness and hopelessness
- Being easily irritated
- Insomnia
- Excess weight gain or loss
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depressive episodes that last longer
- Anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts or tendency
Potential causes of treatment-resistant depression
There is no single cause that can lead to treatment-resistant depression. However, the following reasons could predispose you to TRD:
- Traumatic events like the loss of a loved one
- Experiencing abuse
- Family history (when other members of your family have mental health disorders)
- Chronic health problems such as brain stroke, or Parkinson’s disease
- Chronic stress
TRD most often occurs due to a brain chemical imbalance, where there is a lack of serotonin and dopamine. These are neurotransmitters that help in mood regulation.
Ways of treating treatment-resistant depression
Currently, there are many innovative therapies that help treat TRD. These include:
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- This therapy uses magnetic fields that help stimulate different sections in your brain.
- An electromagnetic coil is inserted into your head that can send out impulses.
- These pulses can access the areas of your brain that regulate mood.
Ketamine therapy
- Ketamine is a popular anesthetic (a numbing agent) that has a significant effect on depression.
- An intravenous (IV) line will be started through your arm.
- Ketamine is slowly introduced into your bloodstream through IV infusion over the next 30 minutes.
Spravato
- This is an FDA- approved nasal spray that contains a refined form of ketamine, known as esketamine.
- This is most often used in combination with other antidepressant medications.
Conclusion
If you have treatment-resistant depression, you are not alone. There is nothing to be embarrassed about, and seeking medical help is crucial.
There are several treatment options for TRD, but the one that best suits you can be determined by your healthcare professional or psychiatrist.
