Understanding Treatment Resistant Depression – And Finding a Provider Who Can Help
Treatment resistant depression (TRD) can occur when standard treatments for depressive episodes fail, and your symptoms persist for months or even years. TRD can be incredibly challenging, making it hard to live a happy, healthy life and pursue your goals and maintain relationships with friends and loved ones. If you have been diagnosed with TRD or have noticed symptoms of a persistent, major depressive episode, there is hope.
When you find the right provider who has experience in helping patients overcome TRD, you can begin healing and progressing. Holistic healthcare providers can offer a comprehensive, highly individualized approach to TRD treatment, providing guidance in lifestyle changes, diet and nutrition, stress management, sleep hygiene, and medication management. Here is your guide to better understanding treatment resistant depression and finding a provider who can help you overcome or manage your symptoms.
What is Treatment Resistant Depression?
Treatment resistant depression is a type of major depressive disorder (MDD). It is defined by a period of severe, chronic symptoms of depression for months or years, and the failure of at least two treatment methods or medications for depression. Before diagnosing you with TRD, your provider may prescribe first-line antidepressants for MDD, such as an SSRI or SNRI. If two different treatment methods prove to be unsuccessful, you may be diagnosed with TRD.
How Do You Know If You Have Treatment-Resistant Depression?
If you have TRD, you will have the same symptoms as someone with MDD; however, your symptoms will last longer, be more severe, and will be resistant to treatment with first-line antidepressants. The most common symptoms of treatment resistant depression are:
- Severe depression
- Longer depressive episodes
- Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure
- Severe or crippling anxiety
- Suicidal ideation and behavior
- A greater number of lifetime depressive episodes
What Causes Treatment Resistant Depression?
There is no known specific cause of TRD. However, certain risk factors and lifestyle habits may increase your chances of developing it:
- Genetics
- Brain chemistry
- Chronic stress
- Autoimmune disease
- Thyroid disease
- Heart disease
- Cerebrovascular disease
How is the Condition Diagnosed or Evaluated?
There is no clearly defined method for diagnosing treatment resistant depression. Your therapist, healthcare provider, or a specialist can make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, medication history, and lifestyle. If you are visiting a new provider, they may require you to try at least two first-line antidepressant medications before making a diagnosis. You may have to take each medication for six to eight weeks to see if you experience relief from your symptoms. If you don’t experience relief after two periods of treatment with two different first-line antidepressants, your provider may suggest alternative treatment options, evaluate your physical health, and consider a diagnosis of a different mental health condition. If they confirm that TRD is the most accurate diagnosis for you, they will work with you to find the best method for managing and overcoming your symptoms.
Benefits of Working with a Health Provider Who Understands Treatment Resistant Depression
Working with a health provider who has experience with and understands TRD can ensure you get more tailored and personalized treatment, the ability to explore a variety of strategies, and a better chance of finding the right intervention for you. When you work with a holistic healthcare provider or functional medicine doctor, they will:
- Take the time to get to know you and understand your health history, lifestyle habits, and how your symptoms are affecting your life
- Do a thorough assessment of past treatment methods and discuss what worked and what didn’t
- Help you gain a deeper understanding of your condition and how your physical health, diet, and lifestyle play a role in your mental health
- Provide resources and information on a variety of different interventions that could offer relief, such as psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy, somatic therapy, hormone therapy, IV therapy, ketamine therapy, and other alternative treatments
- Provide clear communication and collaborate with you and your other healthcare providers
- Give you hope and empower you to take greater control over your physical and mental health
- Evaluate you for comorbid conditions that could be exacerbating or contributing to your depression
- Provide access to specialized therapies
- Offer long-term support and guidance to help you overcome challenges
Lifestyle Modification to Reduce the Risk of Future Depressive Episodes
In addition to receiving treatment in office, your provider should also guide you in making healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of future depressive episodes. Key lifestyle modifications can improve your physical and mental health, relieve stress, improve sleep, and help you set boundaries with others. Here are some tips for preventing depressive episodes:
- Try to get some physical activity every day
- Practice good sleep hygiene and try to go to sleep and get up at the same time every day
- Use stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, journaling, and breathing exercises
- Practice daily mindfulness and gratitude
- Learn how to set boundaries with others to preserve your peace and mental health
- Surround yourself with a strong support system of people who make you feel calm and grounded
- Use a journal or app to create daily goals and set your intentions for the week
- Visit your therapist or healthcare provider regularly for evaluations and check-ins
Learn More About Holistic Remedies for Treatment Resistant Depression
At Kore Regenerative Medicine, we offer holistic remedies and functional medicine therapies for treatment resistant depression in Golden, CO. Dr. Jordanna Quinn provides highly personalized and individualized treatment, taking the time needed to get to know her patients and fully understand their physical and mental health.
Dr. Quinn combines diet and nutritional counseling, lifestyle modification counseling, and regenerative and functional medicine treatments to help patients overcome MDD and TRD. She may recommend ketamine therapy for treatment resistant depression. Call us now or contact us online to schedule an initial phone conversation and find out how we can help you overcome the symptoms of TRD and improve your health and quality of life.
