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At Greenbrook we like to share personal stories, expert insights, and practical tips to help you navigate the journey of mental wellness.
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5 Common Misconceptions About Depression
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How to Prepare For Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment
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Who is a Good Candidate for TMS?
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Learn more about tms therapy
A recent study compared the effects of TMS therapy and Antidepressants. TMS therapy provided more relief from patients depressive symptoms compared to Antidepressants.
Learn how long it takes for different depression treatments to work such as antidepressants, TMS therapy and nasal esketamine.
How TMS Helps Military Families Trauma, separation from loved ones, injury, extreme stress, and death are all potential hazards faced by military families. These pressures can lead to major depressive disorder for service men and women, as well as their loved ones. TMS can be an effective depression treatment for military families. Depression and the Military Depression can linger for members of the military long after their tours of duty are over. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that: Roughly 1 in 3 veterans showed signs of depression during their doctor’s appointments. Another 1 in 5 have symptoms serious enough to warrant a diagnostic evaluation. And about 1 in 8 to 10 veterans has major depressive disorder that calls for treatment such as antidepressants or talk therapy. If those first-line treatments don’t work, TMS for veterans may be an option. Many factors can increase the risk of depression for service men and women. These include: Traumatic brain injury suffered during combat Substance abuse Attacks that are physical or sexual in nature Combat stress Separation from their support network back home The risk of depression also may increase for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trauma they’ve experienced can trigger symptoms of depression, such as sadness, guilt, hopelessness, or insomnia. Some of the VA’s sobering statistics on PTSD and members of the military : About 30% of Vietnam veterans experienced PTSD at some point in their lives. Roughly 12% of Gulf War vets have reported PTSD. And 11% to 20% of people who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have PTSD in any given year. These issues aren’t limited to those who served. Loved ones and close relatives can also suffer from depression, especially during deployment. They may also struggle with PTSD if the enlisted member of the family experienced trauma or injury during military service. How to Tell If You or a Loved One Has Depression Has your loved one acted differently since separating from active duty? Or are you feeling a gnawing anxiety with your partner on tour of duty? It’s helpful to know if depression is the cause. Watch for these signs: Persistent sadness or hopelessness Lethargy Insomnia Feelings of guilt or worthlessness Changes in weight or appetite A brain fog that inhibits concentration or clear thinking Depression treatment for military families usually entails talk therapy (perhaps with a counselor who is also trained in treating PTSD) and/or antidepressant medications. Sometimes, it is also beneficial for military members to join a support group of fellow veterans where they can share their stories with others who have similar experiences. TMS For Military Members: How It Can Help TMS therapy for PTSD isn’t cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, TMS can be used to treat symptoms of major depressive disorder. This can be an effective treatment method for members of the military and their families who haven’t gotten the results they want from medication or talk therapy. TMS can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatment modalities. The science behind how TMS works : An electromagnetic coil is placed on the patient’s scalp. It emits magnetic pulses, which turn into gentle electrical currents that stimulate targeted areas of the brain. Treatment sessions last about 18 to 40 minutes and take place over several weeks. Sessions take place every weekday for the first several weeks before tapering in frequency. TMS for military members offers several benefits, including: It’s non-invasive. It doesn’t require sedation, so you can drive yourself to and from treatment. Side effects are minimal. TMS can have a long-term benefit. One study found that among those who improved, 62% were still improved or in remission a year after treatment. Plus, TMS for military members is covered by TriCare. This is the health insurance carrier for active duty service men and women, as well as family members, retirees, and members of the Reserve and National Guard. Greenbrook TMS is honored to help military families find solutions for depression with TMS treatment. We understand the importance of supporting members of the military in their quest to improve their mental health. Our chief medical officer, Dr. Geoffrey Grammer , is a decorated Army colonel who served two tours of duty in Iraq. He also developed the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as its chief of Inpatient Psychiatric Services. Contact us today to learn how we can help you and schedule your free consultation .
How Long Will I Stay Better After TMS? Therapies for depression such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) often work well even after conventional treatments fail. Prospective patients are often curious about TMS and want to know all about it, particularly how long TMS therapy lasts. Results vary from patient to patient, which is why we encourage anyone considering TMS for major depressive disorder to schedule a consultation to discuss their specific circumstances. TMS can be an effective treatment method for depression, particularly for people who haven’t gotten the results they want from first-line treatments such as talk therapy and antidepressants. With TMS, magnetic pulses are transmitted into the brain from an electromagnetic coil placed on the patient’s scalp. These pulses become gentle electrical currents that stimulate specific areas of the brain in order to alleviate depression symptoms. TMS treatment typically takes place every weekday for several weeks, then less frequently towards the end of treatment. Most people don’t have to wait until after the treatment period ends to see the difference TMS makes.
Patient Journey
Hear about the Greenbrook patient experience and treatment results from previous patients.
Learn more about Nasal Esketamine
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
Learn how long it takes for different depression treatments to work such as antidepressants, TMS therapy and nasal esketamine.
SPRAVATO® is self-administered at REMS-certified SPRAVATO® treatment centers under the supervision of a health care provider. REMS stands for Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. SPRAVATO® is a brand name for esketamine nasal spray , a Schedule III controlled substance derived from ketamine. This medication can cause brief sedation and dissociation in people who take it, and it has the potential to be abused. That’s why the esketamine nasal spray is only distributed to providers under the REMS program.
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for esketamine nasal spray treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). What will it be like to add SPRAVATO® treatment to your treatment plan? Preparing for SPRAVATO® treatment, also called esketamine nasal spray , can help you feel more at ease and ready for what your first day of treatment will bring. Getting Started with the SPRAVATO® Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether you’re a fit for esketamine nasal spray. Alternatively, you can schedule an esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for administering SPRAVATO® treatment. SPRAVATO® is FDA approved for treatment resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation or behaviors (MDSI). Note that SPRAVATO® is not a replacement for hospitalization for those currently high at risk. At Greenbrook’s REMS-certified SPRAVATO® treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine spray treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make nasal esketamine spray treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine spray provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive a SPRAVATO® prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard antidepressant along with your SPRAVATO® treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for SPRAVATO® treatment: Each SPRAVATO® treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your nasal esketamine spray treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the nasal esketamine spray treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During SPRAVATO® Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real SPRAVATO® sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each nasal esketamine spray treatment. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook’s Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for After your SPRAVATO® Treatment Process Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after SPRAVATO® treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll be taking nasal esketamine spray treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine spray treatment patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their nasal esketamine spray treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your SPRAVATO® Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each nasal esketamine spray treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for your nasal esketamine spray treatment. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine spray treatment, we offer free consultations at Greenbrook . If your doctor thinks you should avoid nasal esketamine spray treatment, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a drug-free, FDA-cleared option for you to consider. Learn more about how TMS works .
MOST RECENT
A recent study compared the effects of TMS therapy and Antidepressants. TMS therapy provided more relief from patients depressive symptoms compared to Antidepressants.
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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