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Common misconceptions about treatment-resistant depression
December 9, 2021 at 8:00 AM
A a drowning person reaching out of the water.

If you suffer from treatment-resistant depression, you know how demoralizing receiving ineffective treatment is. However, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. With the misinformation circulating about TRD, we’re here to set the record straight. At Bella Jace Center for Heal, we’re the leading mental health service in Brentwood, TN, and we proudly provide holistic, alternative solutions as well as traditional treatments. We find the treatment that works for you to alleviate your TRD.

Here are common myths about TRD:

It doesn’t discriminate.

One of the biggest myths surrounding treatment-resistant therapy is it doesn’t discriminate. However, it’s still impossible to accurately anticipate who will suffer from it.

Some demographics are more susceptible than others. For example, women and senior citizens suffer from TRD at significantly higher rates.

Furthermore, people who experience severe or chronic bouts of depression are also more vulnerable. However, a person’s overall health is a predictor, too. Patients with depression who have a medical disease, like thyroid disease, are more vulnerable.

Moreover, other conditions that play a role include substance abuse, eating disorders, and sleeping disorders. These disorders can potentially make you more resistant to traditional treatment via antidepressants.

If you’re experiencing treatment-resistant depression, at Bella Jace, we have alternative, holistic treatments that can succeed where conventional solutions have failed.

We understand what causes it.

One of the biggest myths about treatment-resistant depression is we understand its causes.

The biology of depression is largely unknown. However, it’s speculated that low amounts of neurotransmitters, like serotonin or norepinephrine, are causes. Moreover, recent studies show that a dearth of these neurotransmitters may not be solely culpable.

This discovery has significant implications on TRD because this could be the reason some people don’t respond to antidepressants, which amplify serotonin and norepinephrine levels. This discovery could also explain why a single-solution approach is ineffective for some.

A contemporary theory suggests that depression inflames the brain or inflammation within the brain generates depression. However, there are still things we don’t know. There isn’t a guaranteed solution for depression, which is at the heart of TRD.

When conventional medicine for TRD fails, we have solutions. At Bella Jace, we’re as committed to your mental health as you are and are unafraid of tackling the unknown.

There are no methods for managing it.

Another common misconception is you cannot alleviate treatment-resistant depression. However, there are treatments and resources available.

Still, even established treatments reflect the complexity and nuance of the problem. The primary treatment strategy for TRD involves a psychiatrist devising a tailored wellness plan. This plan is typically predicated on:

  • Optimization
  • Switching
  • Combination
  • Augmentation
  • Somatic therapy

With a qualified psychiatrist, this approach can be supremely effective. For example, optimization essentially means some people could benefit from allowing more time for antidepressants to work, or it could mean increasing the dosage.

Some people benefit from switching antidepressant classes, too. Somatic therapies include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which induces surges in the brain chemistry to reverse the symptoms of TRD. Modern ECT is not as barbaric as it once was.

Now, this procedure is significantly safer and more tolerable, and it’s effective in 70 to 80% of patients. Another cutting-edge treatment is ketamine therapy.

Schedule an appointment now!

If you’re suffering from treatment-resistant depression, there are solutions available. The narrative surrounding TRD is bleak, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. At Bella Jace, we’re the premier mental health resource in Brentwood, TN. We focus on a holistic approach and find alternative treatments that work where conventional solutions fail. Schedule an appointment now! Navigating your way out of depression sometimes means thinking outside the box.

Get holistic treatment for mental health.
We provide traditional and alternative treatment for mental health issues in Brentwood, TN.