Treatment-Resistant Depression

If you have severe depression that hasn’t responded to traditional treatments like medicines and talk therapy, turn to Blue Water Psychiatry in Mesa, Arizona. Board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners Justin McKinley, PMHNP-BC, Susan Bowen, PMHNP-BC, and their experienced staff offer expert solutions for treatment-resistant depression to help you through difficult emotions. Call the office or book an appointment online to learn more about treatment-resistant depression.

What is treatment-resistant depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is a type of depression that hasn’t responded to psychotherapy and traditional depression medications (antidepressants). If you haven’t found relief from your symptoms with these treatment options, you may need other alternative approaches to lift your mood and improve your condition.

What are the common symptoms of treatment-resistant depression?

The common symptoms of treatment-resistant depression are the same as traditional depression. These include: 

• Appetite changes
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Ongoing despair, hopelessness, and worry 
• Sleeping too little or having excessive sleep
• Loss of interest in once-loved activities
• Social isolation

Treatment-resistant depression may affect your ability to perform well in school or at your job. At  Blue Water Psychiatry, the team offers a variety of depression treatments that may be able to help you get back on a path to success.

What are the risk factors for treatment-resistant depression?

While treatment-resistant depression can happen to anyone, common risk factors include personal or family history of depression, traumatic or stressful life events, or having other mental health conditions – such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You might feel depressed because of a career loss, financial issues, past traumatic experience, or relationship issues. However, it’s important to note that the relationship between depression and its cause may be unclear. 

How is treatment-resistant depression diagnosed?

The Blue Water Psychiatry team can diagnose treatment-resistant depression after discussing your symptoms, current medication regimen, medical history, and lifestyle. They also ask questions about your thoughts and feelings in greater detail. 

Blue Water Psychiatry also offers pharmacogenomic testing to determine which medicines are likely the most effective based on your genes.

How is treatment-resistant depression treated?

Blue Water Psychiatry offers traditional medications, psychotherapy, lifestyle-change counseling, and Spravato® nasal spray to reduce treatment-resistant depression symptoms. They tailor each treatment and update changes to your plan whenever necessary to help you get your life back on track.

To receive expert help for treatment-resistant depression, call Blue Water Psychiatry or book a consultation online today. The team also offers extended appointment times to ensure you get all the help you need.