Living with depression that resists traditional treatments can be exhausting and disheartening. If you’ve tried medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes without finding relief, interventional psychiatry could be a promising solution.
At McLean Neuropsychiatric Treatment Center (NTC) in McLean, VA, we specialize in this advanced approach, using innovative therapies like Spravato (esketamine) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This guide will walk you through what interventional psychiatry is, how it works, and what it can do for you.
What Is Interventional Psychiatry?
Interventional psychiatry is a specialized area of mental health care that focuses on difficult-to-treat psychological disorders.
It is based on the idea that many mental health disorders, like depression or OCD, are caused by disruptions or dysfunctions in the brain’s neurons and their connections. Interventional techniques aim to correct or improve this faulty brain activity by directly stimulating or influencing neurons to restore healthier brain function.
This approach encompasses a range of interventions, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and the administration of neuromodulating drugs like ketamine.
At McLean NTC, we specialize in interventional psychiatry for those with hard-to-treat depression. Our evidence-based therapies include:
- Spravato (esketamine): A nasal spray derived from ketamine, it is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
Who Can Benefit from Interventional Psychiatry?
- People with mood disorders: Ketamine therapy can offer long-lasting benefits for those with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder who haven’t responded to other medications.
- Individuals with neurodegenerative disorders: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
- Patients with chronic pain: Studies show that ketamine treatment can provide lasting pain relief for up to three months in people with chronic pain disorders.
At McLean NTC, our services are especially designed for those with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which is estimated to affect around one-third of the depression patient population. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), TRD is the “failure to respond to two or more antidepressant regimens despite adequate dose and duration and adherence to treatment.” In other words, TRD refers to when someone has tried two or more different antidepressants and experienced adverse side effects and/or no significant improvement in symptoms.
If you’re struggling with TRD and are interested in our services, schedule a consultation with one of our team members. Our team can inform you about our interventional approaches and determine a treatment best suited to your unique healing needs.
How Does Spravato Work?
Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, one of the two mirror-image molecules that make up ketamine. The FDA approved it in 2019 as a nasal spray to treat TRD and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidality.
Spravato’s main neurological mechanism is interacting with NMDA receptors. By blocking certain NMDA receptors, Spravato is thought to enhance neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and change. This can potentially help those with TRD restore normal mood regulation and overcome unhealthy thought and behavior patterns. In other words, Spravato is clinically proven to help people resume normal function in their lives and find relief from their depression symptoms.
Unlike conventional antidepressants, Spravato’s therapeutic effects can appear within hours of administration. However, the drug’s length of time for action will vary depending on numerous factors, such as the severity of someone’s mental health condition and unique response to the drug.
In a clinical trial, patients with MDD experienced a significant reduction in symptoms just four hours after receiving esketamine treatment, with the effects lasting up to 24 hours.
What to Expect from Your First Spravato Treatment
Starting a new treatment can feel overwhelming, but the team at McLean NTC ensures that your first experience with Spravato is as comfortable as possible. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect:
- Initial Evaluation: Before beginning treatment, our team will conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure Spravato is appropriate for you and determine a suitable treatment plan based on your needs.
- The Treatment Session: You will be monitored in-office once you administer your first dose. This is to ensure your overall clinical experience as well as to adhere to the federal monitoring regulations set by the FDA.
- Post-Treatment Care: After your session, it’s important to have a caregiver, family member, or use transportation services like Uber, Lyft, or public transit to help you return home, as the effects of Spravato can include drowsiness or temporary disorientation.
Does Insurance Cover Spravato?
One of the most common questions we receive at McLean NTC is whether Spravato is covered by Medicaid or other insurance plans. The good news is that Spravato is typically covered by many insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid in Virginia. However, coverage can vary based on individual insurance plans and patient eligibility.
Steps to Verify Insurance Coverage for Spravato:
- Contact your insurance provider to inquire about Spravato coverage.
- Speak with a McLean NTC team member to help verify your benefits.
- Review any co-pays or out-of-pocket expenses for Spravato treatment.
For those who may not have insurance coverage or need assistance, speak with McLean NTC to understand your options.
Why Choose McLean NTC for Interventional Psychiatry in McLean, VA?
At McLean NTC, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Our team of experts specializes in interventional psychiatry and has extensive experience with Spravato and other advanced treatments for depression.
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9851766/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34974201/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9082546/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9922941/