Antidepressant Not Working? How to Try a New Treatment for Depression in New York City

When taking antidepressants, it can be easy to lose hope or get frustrated if you don't see results right away. If your antidepressant isn't working, does that mean that you'll always have depression? No. You may just need to try something new. 

Depression treatment is a trial-and-error process that often involves combining different treatments: for example, antidepressants with therapy or antidepressants with TMS. Because people respond differently to different treatments, it can take some time to find the right treatment plan. If an antidepressant isn't working, there are numerous options for treatment for depression in New York City your doctor can recommend.

Try Another Antidepressant

Doctors know that the first antidepressant does not always relieve symptoms for patients and that they may need to try a different medication. A groundbreaking study that observed the effects of antidepressants on people diagnosed with depression reported that only 33 percent of patients achieve remission with the first antidepressant. (1) In addition, it can take up to two months to start feeling the positive effects of antidepressants-although some patients may notice a difference within a few weeks, while others may not feel its effects for more than two months.

Some people may also choose to try a different antidepressant because they don't like the side effects of their current prescription. When trying an antidepressant, it's important to take it as directed by your doctor. Following prescription instructions increases your chances of seeing the benefits of your medication. 

In some cases, patients won't feel the positive effects of antidepressants, even after trying a few different prescriptions-this is called treatment resistance. (2) If this is the case for you, your doctor may recommend alternative treatment options.

Try a New Therapist

Working with a therapist can help you stick to your depression treatment as well as help ease the burden of your symptoms. Seeing a therapist can also help catch early signs that depression may be getting worse. 

But if you don't "click" with your therapist, it can be difficult to feel that your sessions are helpful and therefore progress in your treatment. If you feel like your therapy sessions aren't helping, consider finding a new therapist. 

Meet with a few therapists before choosing a new one. Be prepared to ask questions that can help you find the right fit. Some examples of questions you may want to ask include:

• What is your training?

• How do you approach depression treatment?

• These are my goals for treatment, how would you go about helping me reach these goals?

• How do you assess my progress?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of depression treatments?

Try TMS Therapy-NYC Is Home to Numerous TMS Providers

TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is an FDA-approved alternative treatment to antidepressants. (3) TMS is a noninvasive treatment that targets a specific region of the brain, so it does not cause the same side effects as antidepressants that circulate throughout the entire body. During TMS treatment sessions, a coil is placed over the patient's head that emits magnetic pulses. These magnetic pulses stimulate electrical circuits in the regions of the brain known to be associated with depression. (4) TMS in NYC is administered as one course of treatment over six weeks. 

TMS has been scientifically proven to be particularly helpful in relieving depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. (5) Examination of two major studies-the Carpenter Study and the STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression) study-shows that TMS is more effective than trying another antidepressant when a patient has already tried at least two antidepressants without seeing results. 

If you're interested in learning more about TMS, New York City is home to numerous TMS providers. Talk to your doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist about whether TMS therapy in NYC might be right for you. 

What if TMS Therapy Doesn't Work?

If a patient doesn't see a reduction in depressive symptoms after one round of TMS treatment, there are a few options they can try: Another round of TMS alone or another round of TMS combined with an antidepressant. If you don't see results after TMS, NYC offers additional options including alternative treatments to TMS, as discussed below. 

Get a Second Opinion Regarding Your Diagnosis

Depression shares some symptoms with other mood disorders, like bipolar disorder. One study aimed to identify how often patients with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed with depression. The study found that approximately 14 percent of patients diagnosed with depression are misdiagnosed and may actually have bipolar disorder. (6) 

If someone has been diagnosed with depression, does not see improvements in their symptoms with depression treatments, and exhibits any signs of bipolar disorder, it may be advisable to get a second opinion from another psychiatrist. Antidepressants do not work to treat bipolar disorder, and extended time without the correct treatment may actually make symptoms of bipolar disorder worse. 

Try a Depression Treatment Other Than TMS: NYC Has Options

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment option used for severe depression or depression that is hard to treat. ECT must be performed in a hospital, and the patient is placed under general anesthesia for the procedure. During an ECT procedure, electrodes are placed on the patient's head. Small electrical pulses are administered through the electrodes, causing a brief seizure in the patient. (7) Scientists believe that this brief seizure causes a change in the brain's chemistry and increases levels of certain neurotransmitters known to be deficient in people with depression, like serotonin and dopamine. (8)

ECT is generally recommended when other depression treatments haven't worked because it involves a hospital stay and is associated with the risk of serious side effects like memory loss. 

Ketamine Infusions

Ketamine has been getting a lot of attention for its antidepressive effects. Traditionally used as an anesthesia and a method for pain control, ketamine is now working its way into depression treatment. (9) The FDA has recently approved a nose spray version of ketamine treatment. (10) But researchers are studying the effects of ketamine injections. Preliminary results show that regular ketamine injections can help relieve depressive symptoms. (11,12) Ketamine treatments must be administered in a doctor's office or in a hospital setting by a healthcare professional. 

Learn More About Treatment for Depression in New York City

To learn more about treatment for depression in New York City, talk to your doctor or your therapist. There are numerous treatment options you can try to help relieve depressive symptoms and get back to living your life.

You never know when you're going to be depressed so you're going to have a lot of irritability and you're starting to hate yourself. And sometimes I think deeply about why do I hate myself.