Treatment-Resistant Depression

Up to 2.8 million American adults have treatment-resistant depression, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, with offices in Westminster, Boulder County and Denver County, Colorado, the team of mental health specialists provides high-quality care for treatment-resistant depression. They take an integrative approach that may include counseling (talk therapy), prescription medication, ketamine infusions, or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Call the nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office to schedule an in-person or telehealth treatment-resistant depression consultation, or book your appointment online today. 

What is treatment-resistant depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is a mental health condition that occurs when you take two antidepressant medications, and they still aren’t enough to manage your symptoms. It’s a type of major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common medication used to treat depression. Although these drugs are typically very effective, they don’t work for everyone. Thankfully, treatment-resistant depression can be managed in other ways.

What are the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression?

Treatment-resistant depression symptoms include:

• Depressive symptoms that last months
• Anhedonia (reduced ability to experience pleasure)
• Anxiety
• Suicidal ideation and/or thoughts of self-harm
• A high number of lifetime depressive episodes

Because a treatment-resistant depression diagnosis can often be gender-biased and occurs with other conditions like bipolar disorder, ADHD, and PTSD, getting a professional’s opinion is crucial. 

How is treatment-resistant depression diagnosed?

The Axis Integrated Mental Health team diagnoses treatment-resistant depression if you have depressive symptoms and they don’t improve after taking at least two types of first-line antidepressant medications. Examples of these medications are bupropion and mirtazapine.

Most people need to take an antidepressant for six to eight weeks to experience a noticeable improvement in their symptoms. If your symptoms don’t get better after taking at least two antidepressant medications, your provider discusses other options.

How is depression treated without antidepressants?

Alternatives to antidepressants for treatment-resistant depression include therapy, ketamine infusions, other prescription medications, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). 

Therapy

Therapy, or talk therapy, involves working one-on-one with a qualified mental health professional. During therapy, you discuss your feelings and thoughts openly. Your provider helps you work through challenging emotions and teaches you how to develop healthy coping behavior.

Prescription medication

The FDA has approved several antipsychotic drugs for the management of treatment-resistant depression, including brexpiprazole (Rexulti®) and olanzapine (Zyprexa®). 

Ketamine 

Spravato® is a ketamine derivative administered via nasal spray. When combined with oral antidepressants, it may provide lasting relief. While we used to offer ketamine infusions, clinical data and our clinical experience over the last 5 years has found no difference in outcomes between Spravato vs. Ketamine. We have found however, that when ketamine therapy is covered by insurance, our patients are likely to stay on treatment and maintain results for longer. 

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

TMS uses targeted magnetic pulses to activate the regions of your brain responsible for emotions and mood regulation. Increasing the electrical activity in these areas helps relieve depressive symptoms, improving your outlook and mood in general.

The Axis Integrated Mental Health team monitors your symptoms at regular checkups. They adjust your treatment plan as needed to ensure positive results.

Call the nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office to schedule a treatment-resistant depression consultation, or book your appointment online today. 

Who Can I Turn to for Treatment-Resistant Depression Care in Westminster, Boulder, or Denver County?

If you’re struggling with depression that hasn’t responded to two or more medications, it’s time to explore options that go beyond the typical prescription pad. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we specialize in helping people with treatment-resistant depression using evidence-based options like Spravato and ketamine therapy, all under the care of experienced board-certified psychiatric providers.

You don’t need a referral to get started, and we accept most insurances, including Medicaid.

👉 Learn more about how ketamine treatment works, what to expect, and how we personalize care in our latest blog: Treatment-Resistant Depression in Boulder, Denver & Westminster

How Do Patients Feel About Axis Integrated Mental Health's Treatments?

Our patients can tell you better than we can about our effectiveness in dealing with treatment-resistant depression. 

"My treatment is Spravato, and I started with two times a week. The most immediate thing I noticed after my second time was that I actually wanted to be here; I didn't want to be gone from this world. and that has continued over the whole year that I've been doing the Spravato treatments." -Danielle

"My life has changed since my treatment in a lot of small ways that stack up to something huge, something that I never thought I could achieve... The ketamine treatment just felt like some loop had been closed. Something had been fixed... it's actually helped my job, to get a promotion... I was able to kind of relate to people." -Multiple patients

Please read and watch our patient testimonials to understand why patients believe Axis Integrated Mental Health is the best mental health clinic for treating depression in Colorado.

FAQs

1. What is treatment-resistant depression? 

2. What causes treatment-resistant depression? 

3. How can you stop treatment-resistant depression?

4. What is the best treatment for treatment-resistant depression?

5. Can treatment-resistant depression be cured?