What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Treatment-resistant depression refers to depressive disorders that do not respond to traditional therapeutic interventions. Typically, this means you have tried at least two different antidepressant treatments at the appropriate dose and duration without significant improvement in your symptoms. The challenges of TRD can be profound, often leading to a diminished quality of life and increased risk of suicide.

Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine has gained attention in recent years for its potential off-label use in treating various mental health conditions, like PTSD and depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants that target neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, ketamine interacts with NMDA receptors in the brain. Researchers believe this interaction can produce rapid antidepressant effects by enhancing synaptic connections, potentially “retraining” your brain to respond more positively to environmental inputs.

The Benefits of Ketamine in Treating TRD

Recent advancements have led to the development of an extended-release tablet form of ketamine, which has shown promising results in clinical trials. This new formulation allows for a more controlled release than other forms like infusions or nasal sprays.

1. Rapid symptom relief: One of the most significant advantages of ketamine therapy is the speed at which it can relieve depressive symptoms. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which may take weeks to become effective, ketamine can produce noticeable improvements within hours or days.
2. Neuroplasticity: Research suggests that ketamine may help promote neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This action can alleviate treatment-resistant depression and contribute to longer-term mental health improvements.
3. A new mechanism of action: Because ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants, it offers a valuable solution for people who have not achieved the desired results from other treatments.

Integrating Ketamine Therapy With Talk Therapy

While ketamine can provide rapid relief from treatment-resistant depression symptoms, integrating this treatment with talk therapy can enhance its effectiveness. Psychotherapy sessions can ground you and help you process the profound thoughts, feelings and experiences that may arise during ketamine treatment, allowing you to incorporate these insights into your daily life. This integrated approach supports immediate symptom relief and long-term emotional and psychological healing.

Extended-release ketamine tablets represent a promising new option for people living with severe, treatment-resistant depression. At Recovery Without Walls, we provide cutting-edge treatments that can offer our clients the best possible outcomes. By combining innovative therapies like ketamine with comprehensive support and psychotherapy, we strive to provide holistic care that addresses the full spectrum of our clients’ needs. As we continue to monitor the latest developments in mental health treatments, we remain dedicated to offering relief and hope to those who need it most. Contact us to learn more about integrative mental health in California.

The post Ketamine Tablets for Treatment-Resistant Depression appeared first on Recovery Without Walls .

The CDC has issued a new report about self-reported depression statistics among American adults, based on whether they lived alone or with others. Respondents in single-person households reported higher levels of depression compared to those living with roommates or family. This stark revelation prompts a detailed exploration into the connection between mood and companionship.

The Connection Between Mood and Isolation

Physical or emotional isolation can significantly impact your mental health. Humans are inherently social, and meaningful connections are essential to our well-being. The absence of these interactions can lead to feelings of loneliness, which research consistently links to increased depression risk.

Living alone without a robust social network can amplify feelings of isolation, making it a significant factor in the mood disturbances many people experience. Consider these strategies for living alone without being lonely.

1. Cultivate a social network: Regular interactions with friends, family and colleagues can help you feel loved and appreciated. Make time every week to connect with loved ones online, by phone or text or in person.
2. Be active in your community: Sign up for group activities that align with your interests. Taking classes, joining a sports team or volunteering can provide a sense of belonging.
3. Find connections online: Online forums, social media groups and virtual meetups let you find people who share your interests or experiences.
4. Adopt a pet: Pets offer steadfast companionship and unconditional love, which benefit people who live alone. The responsibility of caring for a pet can also provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
5. Develop a routine: Establishing a daily routine can structure your day and provide stability. Incorporate self-care like exercise, reading or creative pursuits.
6. Stay physically active: Exercise is a proven mood booster. Find a workout you enjoy, such as yoga, running or cycling, to keep your body and mind healthy.
7. Seek professional support: If feelings of loneliness or depression become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to get help from a mental health professional. Therapy can provide valuable tools and strategies for coping with these feelings.
8. Invest in personal growth: Use your time wisely to focus on bettering yourself. Learn a new skill, read a book or start a project you’ve been putting off. Accomplishments can boost your self-esteem and improve your overall mental health.
9. Avoid substance use: Some people use alcohol and drugs to combat feelings of loneliness and depression. Unfortunately, addiction can worsen your mental health and leave you stuck in a vicious cycle.

Schedule Your Intake Call Today

Living alone presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. While there is a risk of feeling isolated or experiencing depression, it is possible to lead a fulfilling life filled with meaningful connections and activities.

At Recovery Without Walls, we recognize the growing need for integrative treatment plans that address every aspect of a client’s life. Our treatment approach emphasizes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, nutritional strategies, dietary supplements and lifestyle interventions. Connect with us today if you struggle with your mental wellness.

The post Living Alone and Depression appeared first on Recovery Without Walls .

How Do Antidepressants Work?

Antidepressants are not a monolith; each class uniquely affects brain chemistry.

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: These drugs prevent the reabsorption of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation, thereby enhancing its availability and action in the brain.
• Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors: These increase the levels and activity of serotonin and noradrenaline, another neurotransmitter linked to mood.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: These medications inhibit monoamine oxidase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters, thus prolonging neuronal activation.

Zoloft – known generically as sertraline – is an SSRI. Doctors commonly prescribe it for depression and anxiety disorders.

The Concern of Anticholinergic Drugs

Though there is no single known cause of Alzheimer’s, risk increases with lifestyle factors like high blood pressure, smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, inadequate nutrition and a lack of cognitive engagement.

Additionally, two separate studies have linked benzodiazepines and anticholergenic drugs with an increased dementia risk among people who used them for longer than a few months. Anticholinergics block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter vital for memory and learning. Various medications fall into this category, including over-the-counter antihistamines and some antidepressants. The chief concern is that long-term usage could impair brain function due to diminished cholinergic activity.

Zoloft: Assessing the Risk During Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

What does this mean for you if you take Zoloft? It’s essential to clarify that SSRIs are not anticholinergic drugs. The findings are more relevant to older classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclics. Therefore, these studies don’t necessarily apply to Zoloft.

While it’s critical to take this research seriously, you shouldn’t be overly alarmed. The relationship between antidepressants and dementia risk remains complex and not fully understood. Some information suggests a possible protective effect against cognitive decline, while others hint at potential risks.

Navigating Medication and Cognitive Health at Recovery Without Walls

At Recovery Without Walls, we understand the nuances and concerns associated with medication use, particularly in the context of mental health and cognitive function. We provide a comprehensive evaluation of each client’s unique circumstances, including their risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

We emphasize an integrative approach that considers lifestyle modifications such as nutrition, therapy and responsible medication use. We provide customized care plans to address the immediate symptoms you face and prioritize your overall wellness.

As with any medication, the decision to take Zoloft is between you and your doctor, based on the potential benefits and risks. It is a decision best made with professional guidance, informed by the latest research and tailored to your health profile.

During this month of awareness, let’s commit to better understanding the intricacies of Alzheimer’s and the factors that influence our intellectual health. Remember, if you have concerns about antidepressants or cognitive decline, Recovery Without Walls is here to place you on a path to holistic well-being.

The post Does Zoloft Cause Dementia? appeared first on Recovery Without Walls .

The Importance of Early Detection

Depression screenings are mental health checkups. While they are not a substitute for an official depression diagnosis, they can be vital for getting you connected with a therapist and managing your symptoms. Here’s why you should consider getting screened for depression.

1. Early detection: Recognizing a mental health issue at the onset can drastically curb its escalation and detrimental effects.
2. Holistic well-being: Tackling depression can also bring about a marked improvement in your physical health.
3. Universal occurrence: Depression doesn’t discriminate; it can affect anyone, anytime, making regular checkups beneficial for all.
4. Combating stigma: With a persistent societal stigma shadowing mental health issues, screenings can normalize and encourage discussions on the topic.
5. Preventing substance abuse: Without proper treatment, some people may resort to drugs or alcohol as coping mechanisms.
6. Saving lives: Untreated, severe depression can lead to tragic outcomes, including suicide. Regular screenings can be a lifesaver.

Identifying Potential Risk Factors

Anyone can experience depression, regardless of age, cultural background, or socioeconomic status. Still, some people are more vulnerable:

• Those with a familial history of mental health issues.
• People with other mental health challenges, like anxiety.
• Routine substance users.
• Those recently navigating stressful life transitions or traumatic incidents.

Warning Signs to Look For

Depression often manifests in specific behavioral or emotional indicators. If these symptoms seem familiar to you, a screening might be beneficial:

• Persistent feelings of sadness or heightened irritability.
• Emotional numbness.
• Drastic energy or motivation depletion.
• Diminished interest in day-to-day or leisure activities.
• Overwhelming feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness.
• Sleep disturbances – either hypersomnia or insomnia.
• Notable appetite or eating behavior shifts.
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating.
• Having thoughts of suicide.

Integrative Mental Health Treatment

National Depression Screening Day underscores the significance of proactive mental health care. At Recovery Without Walls, we advocate for regular screenings to prioritize your mental well-being. Remember, acknowledging a problem is the first step in solving it. If any of these signs or risk factors seem familiar, consider a depression screening. Your mental health is worth it.

To learn more about our integrative approach to psychiatry, addiction, and chronic pain, contact our office today. Our outpatient treatment center uses innovative approaches to help our clients achieve holistic wellness, specializing in personalized options based on evidence-informed pharmacology research, exceptional psychotherapy, nutritional support and integrative healing methods.

The post National Depression Screening Day appeared first on Recovery Without Walls .

Adding medication to your treatment program can help with more severe or consistent feelings of depression by restoring the chemical balance in your brain. There are often concerns, though, about the effects different medications can have. Let’s look at the purpose of prescription medications for depression, the types often prescribed, and potential side effects you may experience. 

Antidepressant Types and Purposes

Antidepressants are prescribed to aid in the management of depression. There are three main types of antidepressants: SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypical antidepressants. 

SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, prevent the brain’s neurons from absorbing serotonin (a neurotransmitter). This increases the serotonin levels in the brain, which improves mood. 

SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) work similarly to SSRIs but also prevent the absorption of norepinephrine, which can also affect a person’s mood. 

Any other type of medication prescribed to treat depression would likely fall under the category of an atypical antidepressant. These include older medications like tricyclics and MAOIs that may occasionally be prescribed in certain cases, but those are becoming far less common.

Each of these medications helps the brain to increase the amount of freely available serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation. The method of action is fairly simple. Antidepressant drugs offer a way for the brain to avoid the process of reuptake: the reabsorption of chemical messengers like serotonin. This allows more chemical messengers to communicate with other neurons (instead of being immediately recycled). The result is an improved mood and a better-functioning brain.

Side Effects of Antidepressants

Most people who are on any type of antidepressant experience very few, if any, negative side effects. Such symptoms vary by the specific type of medication. You should consult with your prescribing physician about any potential side effects of the medication you are on, which can include:

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Weight gain
• Changes in appetite
• Sleepiness
• Dizzyness
• Sexual problems

These physical side effects can be alarming and warrant a conversation with your prescriber to determine if changes need to be made. 

There have also been reports of mental health issues which are attributable to medication changes. One of the most common concerns is an increase in depressive symptoms, including suicidal ideation. 

Suicidal Thoughts When Taking Antidepressants

Many people taking medication for depression have also experienced suicidal thoughts. While the frequency and intensity of these thoughts can vary, thoughts of death and dying rightfully raise alarm. Taking an antidepressant should improve your symptoms of depression, but if you continue to experience suicidal ideation or are experiencing it for the first time, does this mean the medication isn’t working? 

The short answer: it depends. Sometimes your mind and body take time to adjust to the medication, and these could improve as you continue taking the antidepressant. Another possibility is that the medication simply isn’t working or is having the opposite of the intended effect. We all respond differently to doses and types of medication, so it’s important to work closely with your provider to determine the best combination of medication and dose for you. 

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts while on an antidepressant or other type of medication, you should discuss this with your doctor immediately. Suicidal thoughts can lead to dangerous choices, and you need to ensure you have the proper support in place while your body adjusts to any changes your doctor makes. 

Help for Depression and Substance Use

Substance use disorders and diagnosed depression often coincide, and these conditions must be treated together. An integrated approach sets those in recovery up for long-term success. 

At Recovery Without Walls, our holistic, patient-first treatment model can help you heal from your addiction while addressing other mental health concerns at the same time. Our medical providers will work closely with you to monitor and adjust medications as needed and ensure you have the support you need to maintain your sobriety. We can also help you to discontinue antidepressant medications that are causing suicidal thoughts.
If you’d like to learn more about our treatment model for co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health issues, contact our team of expert providers today.

The post Antidepressant Side Effects appeared first on Recovery Without Walls .

It’s Not Addiction, It’s Dependence

Part of the problem is that people confuse dependence with addiction. It’s entirely possible to develop physical dependence on a medication without ever being literally addicted.

The difference is that the negative effects of dependence begin and end with temporary physical symptoms (“discontinuation symptoms” in medical terminology) if you quit a prescription cold. Addiction, by contrast, is completely life-consuming: focus on the drug pushes everything else (including human relationships and self-care) to the side. And even after someone gets off an addictive drug, an intense pull to relapse can be generated by any sight, sound, or smell that triggers memories of the “good old days” when the drug offered easy escape from cold, hard reality.

Dependence is a minor problem by comparison, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless—or that “just quitting” is a good idea. Consider antidepressants, one of the least addictive drug categories. If you’ve been taking antidepressants and abruptly stop, discontinuation symptoms may include:

• Poor balance
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Extreme fatigue
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Headaches, or a feeling that “electric shocks” are surging through your head.

To avoid the discontinuation-symptoms problem, doctors recommend tapering off (taking gradually smaller doses) over several weeks. This gives physical dependence a chance to also taper off, as the brain adjusts to life without the antidepressant.

Cross-Tapering Antidepressants: A Search for the Best Medicine

Unfortunately, a different “tapering” concern surfaces for many antidepressant consumers barely after they start medication. Antidepressants are notoriously difficult to match with any individual patient’s brain chemistry: many people have to try several medications before finding one that really works. What happens if an antidepressant isn’t working for you after several weeks, your doctor recommends switching to another—and your body has already built up physical dependence on the first antidepressant?

One answer is cross-tapering: slowly decreasing doses of the first medication while simultaneously increasing doses of the second. Cross-tapering isn’t always the best approach—some antidepressant types generate unpleasant interactions when “crossed,” and with two similar medications it’s often easier to simply stop the old and begin the new—but cross-tapering can be a highly effective way to discontinue a less effective medication without suffering discontinuation symptoms. And when the right antidepressant for you is finally pinpointed, relief from the symptoms of major depressive disorder makes all the trouble worth it.

If You Feel Ready to Discontinue Antidepressants

Helpful as the right antidepressant can be, there are potential concerns with taking them indefinitely. Side effects such as insomnia or weight gain can arise with long-term use. Some people report becoming emotionally numb or losing personal initiative.

If you want to get off antidepressants altogether, the first rule is: Always consult your doctor for a second opinion on whether you’re really ready to stop. Many people stop taking antidepressants (and other medical drugs) because they feel better and assume they’re cured. In fact, they feel better becausethe medicine is still working, and stopping it may have worse consequences than discontinuation symptoms: the original problem, no longer restrained by the drug, may come surging back full force. Following your doctor’s advice on when and how to quit antidepressants is your best protection against that scenario.

Contact Recovery Without Walls for Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

Antidepressants aren’t addictive, but many other prescription drugs are—and many opioid and benzodiazepine addictions start with attempts to medicate depression. If you have a substance use disorder of any kind, and especially if your responsibilities preclude a lengthy inpatient stay, Recovery Without Walls may be the program you need. We are also prepared to help you discontinue or change antidepressants.

Contact us today to learn more about our holistic approach to detox and recovery. (We also offer treatment for chronic physical pain.)

The post Cross-Tapering Antidepressants appeared first on Recovery Without Walls .