What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression, and What Are My Options for Getting Better?

Depression is a widespread but severe mood disorder affecting people of all ages and walks of life. Fortunately, it’s also among the most treatable, with 80-90% of individuals finding relief.

However, it can be more challenging for others. When this occurs, it’s referred to as treatment-resistant depression. 

But there’s hope.

The experts at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness provide comprehensive care for patients as young as 6 years old. You can find the latest interventions and psychiatric care for the mind, body, and soul at this friendly and compassionate practice.

If you have depression that hasn’t responded to treatment in the past, here’s what you should know moving forward.

Treatment-resistant depression basics

Around 30% of people with major depressive disorder — also known as clinical depression — experience treatment-resistant depression (TRD). 

It means at least two different first-line antidepressants didn’t manage the condition during a depressive episode. But what does that mean exactly?

To start, a “first-line antidepressant” is typically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). These classes of antidepressant drugs ease symptoms by keeping certain chemical messengers active in the brain. 

SSRIs and SNRIs make a great first-line approach because they usually have fewer side effects that are also less severe than other antidepressants. However, these medications also take at least 6-8 weeks to work.

So, experts diagnose TRD when an adequate dose of two different SSRIs or SNRIs over the required timeframes doesn’t improve symptoms.

Recognizing the signs of TRD

Its name alone is a fairly obvious sign of treatment-resistant depression. However, it’s not the only thing that stands out with this type of depression.

While it shares many symptoms with major depressive disorder — like appetite changes, sleep disturbances, and depressed mood — it usually has a few more as well.

Additional signs seen with TRD often include:

• More severe symptoms that often last longer
• Higher frequency of depressive events over a lifetime
• Less ability to experience pleasure
• Anxiety 

It’s also more common for people with TRD to experience suicidal ideation and behavior.

People with TRD are also more likely to have other health issues, like thyroid disease, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and autoimmune disease.

Treatments for TRD

Living with depression can be hard enough. However, living with TRD can feel impossible. But it’s crucial not to lose hope.

Our experts use numerous strategies to address this challenging form of depression, such as:

• Adjusting the first-line antidepressant dosage and duration
• Adding a different type of antidepressant to the medication management protocol
• Including talk therapy, counseling, or other psychotherapy in the treatment strategy

We also offer innovative TRD treatments, like ketamine therapy and TMS.

Ketamine therapy

This medication can provide rapid remission of depressive symptoms, often within 40 minutes. 

While highly effective for TRD, it also poses some risks, from sedation and dissociation to misuse. 

Our team can outline a safe, personalized treatment strategy administered on-site in a clinical setting.

TMS

Transcranial magnetic stimulation — or TMS — also provides highly effective results for treatment-resistant depression, and there’s no medication required.

Instead, TMS relies on a noninvasive type of brain stimulation using a powerful magnetic field outside the body. When applied to specific areas of the brain, they influence natural electrical activity in the region involved with mood.

Getting help for TRD

These are just a few ways our skilled experts can help if you have treatment-resistant depression. 

It starts with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Once we learn more about you and your symptoms, we can create a treatment strategy tailored to your unique needs. 

With our help, you can finally find a way to manage your symptoms moving forward. 

Do you have TRD? Don’t hesitate to contact our team at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness today to schedule an appointment in Golden or Denver, Colorado.