Living with depression can feel like an uphill battle – especially when traditional first-line treatments like talk therapy and antidepressants don’t seem to help.
But the good news is that the medical community is constantly searching for new ways of treating this widespread yet debilitating illness, and there has been a recent breakthrough…
Ketamine therapy has been emerging as an effective treatment for depression for some time, and Spravato nasal spray – the only FDA-approved form – is a groundbreaking treatment that has been giving hope back to those suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
Not only is Spravato proving to be a highly effective treatment for major depressive disorder, it’s specifically and exclusively used to treat adults who have not experienced any relief in their symptoms from other depression treatments, making it the beacon of hope to those most in need.
If you’ve been struggling to overcome your depression, keep reading to find out what qualifies you for Spravato, where it sits compared to other treatments for depression, and how you can get started on your path to recovery with Spravato at REACH Behavioral Health, Ohio.
Spravato vs. traditional depression treatments
When it comes to depression, there is no single treatment that will work for everyone. This is largely because there are a wide range of factors that can lead to or cause depression.
However, there are two main types of treatment that are proven most effective at treating depression for the majority of cases: psychotherapy (also known as “talk therapy”) and medication – which includes traditional meds like antidepressants, and more recent breakthroughs like Spravato nasal spray.
Talk therapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is usually the first port of call for treating depression. It involves working with a therapist who, purely through talking but using a range of proven frameworks and techniques, will help you to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors and learn new coping skills.
There are several frameworks and types of talk therapy that therapists may use to help treat depression. These can include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Humanistic therapy
- And more
The main benefit of talk therapy as a treatment for depression is that it focuses on identifying and treating the causes of your depression, rather than only the symptoms.
People often worry that they don’t know what to talk about in therapy, or what might be behind their depression, but therapists are skilled at helping you to explore different topics during your sessions, and identifying those that might lead to breakthroughs.
Medication
In more severe cases of depression, medications – commonly known as antidepressants – are often needed.
Antidepressants work by changing the way your brain uses certain chemicals, so they can have a significant impact in relieving the symptoms of depression – although it’s important to understand that they never provide instant relief; it often takes weeks or months before results show.
There are several different classes of antidepressants (such as SSRIs and SNRIs), and many different types (and brands) within each class. Each class works slightly differently, targeting, blocking, or increasing different chemicals with the aim of better regulating your mood and behavior. Different antidepressants also come with different side effects, which is one of the main factors doctors will take into consideration when choosing which drug to prescribe.
While antidepressants can be extremely effective, they don’t address any other external factors that may be causing your depression, so it’s always recommended to combine medication management for depression with talk therapy (psychotherapy). This combination of medication and psychotherapy is usually very effective, and the solution for many people in treating their depression.
However… for some people, antidepressants simply don’t work. And this is where Spravato nasal spray steps in.
Spravato nasal spray
Designed exclusively for people with treatment-resistant depression, Spravato has become a lifeline for those whose symptoms haven’t improved with traditional treatments.
A form of ketamine therapy, Spravato targets a different part of the brain than other antidepressants, which is why it’s often effective where other medications haven’t been.
It also offers considerably faster relief from symptoms, usually within hours or days.
Spravato is only prescribed in the instances where other antidepressants have not worked, and it’s necessary to continue taking antidepressants alongside your Spravato treatment. So this is a second-line treatment, rather than an alternative to other medications and therapies.
And once again, talk therapy is also highly recommended as a combined aspect of overall treatment.
So – if you’ve tried all traditional treatment options for your depression and not experienced any relief, please don’t lose hope. Spravato might just be the answer you’ve been looking for.
What is Spravato nasal spray and how does it work?
We’ve covered a lot of detail on how Spravato works and answered common questions in our previous blog, Understanding Spravato: Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, and More.
However, to give you a quick overview here…
Spravato is a groundbreaking prescription drug approved by the FDA for adults with treatment-resistant depression.
It contains the active ingredient “esketamine,” which is one of the main ketamine molecules. For this reason, it’s often referred to more broadly as “ketamine therapy.” However, unlike IV ketamine therapy, which has been gaining traction as an off-label treatment for depression, Spravato is the only official FDA-approved form of ketamine therapy for treating depression.
It works differently from traditional antidepressants by targeting NMDA receptors in the brain, which play a role in regulating mood. This unique approach can deliver rapid results, often in just hours or days.
Despite being an easy-to-administer nasal spray, Spravato isn’t a drug you take yourself at home. So although you need a prescription for Spravato, you can’t “get” a prescription for it.
Instead, you’ll be approved for the treatment by your psychiatrist or other licensed medical professional, and then receive the treatment under medical supervision at your treatment center. You can find out more about the treatment process for Spravato at REACH Behavioral Health here.
Is Spravato right for me? What qualifies you for treatment
Spravato isn’t for everyone – it’s specifically for adults (over 18) with major depressive disorder or treatment-resistant depression, meaning you’ve tried at least two different antidepressants without experiencing any significant improvement.
To qualify for treatment, you’ll need a thorough evaluation from a licensed medical provider or psychiatrist. During this consultation, they’ll review your medical history, current symptoms, past treatments, and overall health to determine your eligibility and suitability.
Like most medications for mental health conditions, Spravato usually works best as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes psychotherapy, which research shows can significantly enhance outcomes. For this reason, centers such as REACH Behavioral Health are the best places to seek treatment, as you can receive all the care that you need under the one roof, and within the one comprehensive and integrated treatment plan.
How to get started with Spravato treatment for depression
If you’re currently taking antidepressants that aren’t working, there’s a high chance you’ll qualify for treatment with Spravato. So the first step is to talk to your psychiatrist or mental health provider about whether Spravato nasal spray could be an option for you.
It’s covered by most main insurance plans if you meet the patient criteria, so you shouldn’t need to worry about how much Spravato costs.
If you’re not already seeing a psychiatrist, or feel you could benefit from a more comprehensive treatment approach for your depression, it may be time to explore other treatment avenues. And this is where REACH Behavioral Health can help. At REACH, we take a holistic approach to care. This means we combine innovative treatments like Spravato with psychotherapy and medication management to ensure every aspect of your mental health is addressed. Having all these services under one roof, and delivered by a compassionate, experienced team, makes getting the help you need both easier and more effective.
Find hope for overcoming your depression with Spravato
Depression can make it hard to see a way forward, but innovative treatments like Spravato nasal spray are helping many people find relief and reclaim their lives.
If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression, we at REACH Behavioral Health are here to help. With personalized care and compassionate support, we’ll guide you toward the treatment that’s right for you, and help you to finally find relief.
Contact REACH today to learn more about Spravato nasal spray and how it can be part of your journey to better mental health.