When Antidepressants Aren't Enough: Discover the Life-Changing Benefits of Spravato™

Depression doesn't always respond the way we'd hope. Many people try multiple antidepressant medications, only to continue struggling with persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, hopelessness, or anxiety.

Treatment-resistant depression affects millions of Americans and can leave you feeling frustrated, discouraged, and unsure where to turn next. Fortunately, advances in mental health care have created new options for patients whose symptoms haven’t improved with traditional medications.

At Horizons Wellness Family Health NP PLLC in Middletown, New York, board-certified family nurse practitioner Albalira Gibson-Borrelli, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, and her team offer Spravato® treatment in a certified treatment center, helping eligible patients access an innovative therapy that works differently from conventional antidepressants.

Traditional antidepressants do not always work

Most antidepressants work by altering levels of mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin. While these medications help many people, they don't work for everyone.

If you've tried multiple antidepressants and continue to struggle with symptoms, you may have treatment-resistant depression. Cycling through different medications can feel exhausting, especially when symptoms continue to affect your relationships, career, physical health, and overall quality of life.

Rather than targeting the same pathways as traditional antidepressants, Spravato® works through a different pathway in the brain, offering a new option for people who haven't achieved adequate relief with standard treatments.

What makes Spravato® different?

Spravato® is an FDA-approved nasal spray that contains esketamine. It's approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression and for certain adults experiencing major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Spravato® is novel in how quickly it starts working. Some patients notice subtle shifts within a few hours, with meaningful improvement starting in 24 hours. Traditional antidepressants can take up to 12 weeks before symptoms improve.

Symptoms Spravato® may improve include:

Extreme sadness
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Social withdrawal
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Anxiety
Fatigue
Physical aches and pains
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

For individuals who feel stuck despite ongoing treatment, Spravato® provides an alternative path forward.

What to expect during treatment

Unlike medications taken at home, Spravato® is administered in a medical setting under the supervision of trained healthcare professionals. After using the nasal spray, you remain in the office for observation before returning home with a designated driver.

This monitoring process helps ensure your safety and allows the care team to track your response to treatment. Before recommending Spravato®, the Horizons Wellness Family Health team conducts a comprehensive evaluation that includes your symptoms, treatment history, medical conditions, medications, and overall mental health needs.

Because every patient's experience with depression is unique, treatment plans are carefully individualized.

A personalized approach to depression care

Many people benefit from a combination of treatments, which is why Horizons Wellness Family Health NP PLLC offers a comprehensive approach to mental healthcare. Depending on your needs, your treatment plan may also include medication management, lifestyle coaching, therapy referrals, or other advanced treatment options.

Hope for treatment-resistant depression

Living with depression can make it difficult to imagine feeling better, especially after previous treatments have fallen short. But a lack of success with traditional antidepressants doesn't mean you've run out of options.

Innovative treatments like Spravato® provide expanded options for managing treatment-resistant depression.

If depression continues to hold you back, the team at Horizons Wellness Family Health NP PLLC is ready to help you explore whether Spravato® may be the right fit for your journey toward better mental health. Contact us to learn more today and request an appointment.