What is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
You may have gone through phases in life where you felt persistent sadness that affected your ability to find pleasure in your daily life. We often refer to that feeling as depression. People struggling with symptoms of depression for two weeks or more may have Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), which affects more than 21 million adults in the United States.
For most people, MDD can be treated with antidepressants. But for 1 in 3 of those diagnosed with MDD, those treatments do little to improve their symptoms. Patients with MDD who have tried two or more antidepressants without relief may have treatment-resistant depression.
Living with treatment-resistant depression can be a challenge. Low mood, fatigue, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt that last for long periods of time can take a significant toll on someone’s outlook on life.
That’s why a solution for those struggling with treatment-resistant depression is so important. Ozarks Community Hospital is proud to expand a program that could give those patients the relief they need to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
What is Spravato?
Spravato is an FDA-approved formulation of esketamine, delivered via a nasal spray. It works by blocking a specific type of receptor in the brain, helping to regulate mood and improve symptoms of depression, sometimes in as little as a few hours. Spravato is effective when combined with an oral antidepressant.
“Spravato is a life-changing treatment for treatment-resistant depression,” says Zach Dampier, PMHNP-BC with Evergreen Behavioral Health Clinic. “Patients report a feeling of ‘waking up’ their brain and seeing the world brighter or things more clearly.”
OCH already administers Spravato at its hospital in Gravette, Arkansas. Now, Spravato will also be available at the Evergreen Behavioral Health Clinic in Springfield, Missouri. This expansion will allow OCH to better serve patients with treatment-resistant depression across the Springfield metro area.
What to Expect
Spravato is administered to patients on-site at the Evergreen Behavioral Health Clinic. Patients will be asked to stay at the clinic for two hours to monitor their response to the medication. It’s important that patients feel comfortable in the environment where Spravato is administered.
“Our OCH behavioral health providers will be here to walk alongside our patients in their entire treatment journey,” says Dampier.
The administration room at the Evergreen Behavioral Health Clinic features comfortable recliners separated by privacy barriers. Lights are dimmed, and patients can close their eyes and relax or watch television while the nurse monitors their response.
Patients who come into the clinic with negative thoughts often report relief upon leaving. The first patient to complete Spravato treatment at the Evergreen Behavioral Health Clinic reported that they “actually felt happy” after their session.
If you’d like to see if Spravato is right for you, schedule an appointment at Evergreen Behavioral Health Clinic by calling 417-823-2950, or by visiting https://ochonline.net/schedule-appointment/.