When most people think about getting professional help for depression, they may imagine taking psychiatric antidepressant medications and talking one-on-one with a therapist. And, while those treatments are helpful for some, not everyone gets the results they want or need from traditional therapies. Fortunately, there are alternative clinical depression treatments available for people living with treatment-resistant depression, or depression that doesn’t respond well to traditional types of therapies.
Unfortunately, not everyone responds well to traditional treatments, like antidepressant medications, for depression. Furthermore, not everyone can use these treatments due to medical issues or other concerns. When people can’t get the relief they need from depression with traditional medications and treatments, it’s referred to as treatment-resistant depression. In these scenarios, it can be very aggravating and hope-shattering to understand that traditional treatments don’t work for you. But, it’s important not to lose hope and wallow in despair. That’s because there are alternative treatments that can help. There are many options for alternative treatments for depression for people who may not respond well or cannot utilize traditional antidepressant therapy for depression. So, if you’re dealing with treatment-resistant depression or cannot try traditional methods for depression treatment, consider some of these options.
Ketamine infusions are IVs that slowly and safely administer ketamine into the body’s bloodstream. Ketamine infusion is one of the most successful methods of treating treatment-resistant depression like most people who utilize it experience success. Ketamine is a medication that works to stimulate neuronic pathways in the brain that may not be functioning optimally, resulting in a number of symptoms experienced by people living with depression. The result is a positive influence on mood and mood management, which reduces sadness, despair, and other negative moods for people diagnosed with depression.
Ketamine infusions for depression are safe and approved by the FDA. Plus, they’re essentially painless, except for the small needle inserted under the skin, which is administered just like any other infusion (IV). Most sessions only require about an hour and a half to administer the dose. And, most patients can start to experience results in only a few days.
TMS is a revolutionary neurological treatment that uses magnetic stimulation to enhance brain function, which can help people living with depression. Essentially, it works by using magnetic coils that are adhered to the scalp that send magnetic pulses into the brain, stimulating neurons to function properly. Therefore, helping to stimulate areas of the brain that aren’t functioning as they should, which can result in negative moods, trouble managing emotions, and more.
TMS is completely painless and non-invasive, so it’s a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want any type of procedure for treating depression. It also doesn’t require the use of any medication, so it’s a great option for people who cannot take other types of depression medications due to medical reasons or even age.
Along with clinical depression treatments, alternative therapies can help to provide complementary support. Some of the effective alternative depression treatments that are holistic include:
Acupuncture: This ancient technique involves placing tiny needles into pressure points located on the body. The idea is that the needles stimulate these pressure points and help the nervous system to function properly. Therefore, relieving stress, reducing anxiety, and helping alleviate symptoms of depression.
Yoga: This type of exercise uses mindfulness, or the practice of remaining in the present, to help individuals learn how to process emotions and deal with present issues. This helps to reduce stress, irritability, and emotions that associate with depression.
Meditation: Along with yoga, meditation allows for the practice of mindfulness. During sessions, individuals can work on being able to identify and process feelings thought processes, and situations which may contribute to their depression diagnosis.
Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day. Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day.