Finding a medication that works for your depression isn’t always an immediate process. Sometimes, the process requires trial and error. While looking for a medication that works, therapy can be crucial for maintaining progress and looking for solutions. One-size-fits-all solutions tend to be ineffective when it comes to mental health. A supportive mental health treatment team can help find a solution that works for you.

Treatment-resistant depression is depression that has resisted two or more different antidepressant treatments of adequate dose and duration. Around 30% of people with depression meet the criteria for this diagnosis, according to one study. If you’ve tried multiple full trials of medication that haven’t alleviated your depression symptoms, don’t lose hope. Traditional medications don’t always work for everyone. However, other forms of treatment may help you achieve a breakthrough.

Why traditional medication may not be effective for your depression

Traditional depression medications come in a few main categories. The most common is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work to keep the body from absorbing serotonin, meaning that more of it is available in the brain. Serotonin is a neurochemical that plays a crucial role in mood regulation. By increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, these medications can help improve depression symptoms such as low mood. However, SSRIs are not always effective. Some reasons why previous trials of antidepressants may have been ineffective include:

• Brain chemistry — The brain is a highly complex organ. Like your fingerprint, your brain is unique to you. What works for someone else’s brain might not affect yours in the same way. If a certain antidepressant doesn’t work for you, it’s important not to blame yourself. Factors outside of your control, such as your brain chemistry, can play a key role in determining a treatment’s efficacy.
• Incomplete diagnoses — Depression symptoms don’t always develop in isolation. In many cases, they are connected to other mental health conditions. These may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders. Are you experiencing the symptoms of more than one mental health disorder? If so, a traditional antidepressant may not be effective. An SSRI could help reduce some of your depression symptoms. However, you may continue to experience symptoms of other conditions. Having a complete and accurate diagnosis is essential to finding a treatment that works.
• Built-up tolerance — Did your medication work for a while, then lose its effects over time? It’s possible that you built a tolerance. Your system can sometimes build a tolerance to certain medications. This means they will gradually have less of an effect. If your body has started to resist a medication, it’s important to start exploring alternatives.
• Side effects — Antidepressants sometimes come with negative side effects, which may worsen some of your symptoms or cause you to stop taking your medication. Side effects can range from stomachaches to brain fog. Negative side effects don’t always occur; however, they can hinder your progress when they do develop. Make sure to let your treatment provider know if you start to experience negative side effects, so they can adjust your treatment and work with you to find a better alternative.

Potential alternatives for treatment-resistant depression

When traditional treatments fall short, innovative alternatives like esketamine may offer a breakthrough. Esketamine is a nasal spray often used for treatment-resistant depression. Traditional antidepressants typically affect the amount of serotonin or norepinephrine in the brain. Is your depression not responding to one of these treatments? Further treatments that affect these neurotransmitters may not be effective either. Esketamine targets a different neurotransmitter: glutamate. Unlike traditional antidepressants, esketamine works by increasing glutamate levels in the brain. Glutamate plays a key role in learning and mood regulation. This can enable esketamine to offer relief where other treatments have failed. While esketamine can lead to major breakthroughs, treatment administration does require medical supervision. Esketamine can also come with potential side effects including nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Due to these factors, esketamine is generally only considered when other options have been exhausted.

Nonmedication treatments can also be essential to recovery. One-on-one therapy can help you identify and address the core drivers behind your symptoms. With personalized therapy and peer support groups, you can make continuous progress. An optimal treatment plan may incorporate effective medication synergized with a therapeutic approach.

Find a treatment that works for your depression at Lightfully Behavioral Health

Are you ready to find an effective solution for your depression symptoms? At Lightfully Behavioral Health, we’re committed to helping each client find lasting relief and mental wellness. Rather than approaching clients as bundles of diagnoses, we prioritize whole-person-centered care. Our deeply compassionate experts are ready to help you find a treatment method that meets your needs and helps you achieve your mental health goals.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.