Conditions Treated

Depression isn’t just a bad day or feeling down—it’s a real medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can impact the way you think, feel, and handle daily life. In fact, 1 in 6 Americans will experience major depression at some point, yet many don’t reach out for help.
Without treatment, depression can take a toll on both mental and physical health. It’s linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and even suicide. But the good news is that help is available, and with the right support, many people find relief and recovery.

If you’ve been struggling, know that you’re not alone. There are options to help you feel better, and reaching out is the first step.

One in three patients with major depression don’t respond to usual medications and treatments. Avance Psychiatry physicians specialize in caring for patients with treatment resistant depression.

Depression Treatment

Medication
When treating depression with antidepressants, a 10 – 12-week trial is necessary to achieve remission. The dose and the combination of medicine that gets you better, keeps you better and should be continued for maintenance therapy for at least one year. The most common antidepressant prescribed these days are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like Paxil, Zoloft® and Prozac.

Therapy
Most patients with depression will benefit from a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy have been shown to be as efficacious as antidepressants in mild to moderate depression.

Cutting Edge Treatments
Ketamine IV infusions are being used with great success for hard-to-treat cases of depression. An intranasal formulation of esketamine (Spravato®) is also available now. The benefits of Ketamine can be felt by the patient within 24 hours and can reverse suicidal tendencies thereby buying the patient and therapist more time for appropriate interventions. Learn more about how ketamine can relieve depression.