Over the past few decades, more people have started to understand how important it is to take care of mental health. Just twenty years ago, talking to a therapist would have been seen as strange in many places. But now, it’s common for young people to talk openly about feeling anxious. This change means that more people who have been silently suffering can now get help and feel accepted. It also means that there are new and better treatments for mental health issues, like depression and anxiety.
For those who struggle with mental health every day, this is a big relief. But for some people, the help they’ve found hasn’t been enough. In a study from 2021, researchers found that about 2.8 million Americans had treatment-resistant depression (TRD) at that time. Treatment-resistant depression means that even after trying two or more antidepressants, a person’s symptoms don’t get better. This can leave people feeling hopeless and frustrated. For doctors who want to help their patients, it’s frustrating too. That’s why many researchers are looking for other treatments. Some new treatments for depression include ketamine, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and a nasal spray called Spravato.
How Spravato is Different
Until recently, most antidepressants worked in the same way. Drugs like Lexapro, Zoloft, and Prozac are all SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). They help by keeping the levels of a chemical called serotonin steady in the brain. But for some people, these drugs don’t work well. Spravato is different. It works on a different chemical in the brain called glutamate. Having more glutamate can help improve memory and regulate mood.
Is Spravato the Same as Ketamine?
Spravato is a form of ketamine, but there are some important differences. Ketamine is often not covered by insurance, but Spravato usually is. Both drugs work quickly and need to be taken with a doctor’s supervision. They can both cause side effects like hallucinations and feeling like you’re on a trip. But unlike ketamine, Spravato has been approved by the FDA to treat treatment-resistant depression.
Living Better Today
Allison, a mom from Pikeville, KY, knows how hard it can be when someone you love has treatment-resistant depression. Her son struggled even though he tried seven different drugs. When he started using Spravato, he began to feel better after just a few weeks. Now, he’s doing things he loves like gardening and cooking. Spravato, along with another antidepressant, has helped him live his life to the fullest.
One of the best things about using Spravato is how fast it works. Instead of waiting weeks for an antidepressant to start working, people who use Spravato often feel better within the first week. Psychiatrists like Dr. Aaron Albert want to help their patients find relief as soon as possible. Since Spravato was approved by the FDA in 2019, many doctors have found it to be a lifesaver for their patients.
If you want to learn more about how Spravato could help you or someone you care about, visit The Center for Brain Stimulation in Wilmington, NC. They work to treat severe depression, OCD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.