NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
(855) 940-4867
(855) 940-4867
The Importance of Managing Behavioral Health Disorders in the COVID Era
Daniel Hageman
2021-11-23T22:58:40Z
Medically reviewed on by
Regional Medical Director Greater St. Louis
The Importance of Managing Behavioral Health Disorders in the COVID Era
Taking care of your mental health is important under the best of circumstances, but it’s especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40% of respondents age 18 and older said they experienced depression, anxiety, or other mental health symptoms between April and June 2020.
As a result, there has been a corresponding increase in detrimental health effects. American adults responded in a Kaiser Family Foundation poll that they had problems sleeping (36% of participants), ate poorly (32%), turned to drugs or alcohol to cope (12%) and experienced a downturn in chronic health conditions (12%). These effects, and the toll they take, make it harder to stay healthy mentally and physically.
Additionally, a new meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry reinforces the importance of taking care of your mental health. Not only does the stress of the pandemic take a toll on us, but the study found that there is also an increased risk of death among those with more serious mental health conditions. In essence, people with a mental health condition may be at higher risk of dying from COVID compared to people without those struggles. TMS can be a useful tool for supporting your mental health during COVID and enhancing your overall well-being.
Are People with a Mental Health Condition at Greater Risk of Contracting COVID-19?
The JAMA Psychiatry study analyzed data from seven countries on three continents: Denmark, France, Israel, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The main conclusion of the meta-analysis stresses the relationship between severe cases of COVID and mental health: People with mental health conditions should be considered a high-risk group, with extra attention paid to disease prevention and management.
The review, published in July 2021, does have some limitations because there aren’t specific demographic breakdowns across the data gleaned from all seven countries, and there were differing definitions of mental health issues. However, it appears that the risk for poor COVID-19 outcomes increases for more severe mental health issues such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
One factor that may play a role in these findings is that many people with mental health conditions also have medical conditions that elevate their COVID-19 risk. These include diabetes, chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD), hypertension, and weight problems.
In addition, people with mental health conditions may not have the socioeconomic resources or access to care within their communities, which also increases their risk. These barriers to care can also increase their risk for contracting COVID-19 and suffering intense symptoms.
The study has its limitations, but still, it is another reminder that taking care of your mental health is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People with recurrent major depressive episodes may be more vulnerable to severe COVID-19, but study results aren’t clear on the relationship between the two. In fact, the researchers behind this review stated that more research is needed on this topic. The data reviewed in this analysis is from the pandemic’s first wave and doesn’t reflect current numbers. Studies also need to be conducted to clarify the association between high COVID risk and other conditions such as depression, anxiety and personality disorders. Finally, study parameters were different in each country, so it’s difficult to make clear-cut extrapolations.
What the data does make clear is that it’s imperative to care for your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staying Proactive about Your Health during COVID-19
Depression is a risk factor for anxiety and panic attacks, especially during times of stress such as the pandemic. It's a normal, understandable response, and one that calls for immediate treatment as soon as possible.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, depression and anxiety are on the rise. First line treatments include medications and/or talk therapy. If those options don’t work, consider TMS treatment.
And don’t forget to take care of your physical health. Acute or chronic illnesses can raise the risk of contracting COVID-19. Keep up with regular doctor appointments, adhere to healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and a nutritious diet and don’t skip screenings that may provide early detection for diseases such as colon or breast cancer.
Do you need to explore the relationship between TMS and mental health as a way to get through the COVID-19 pandemic? TMS treatment helps with major depressive disorder as well as obsessive compulsive disorder and depression-related anxiety. Our clinic is committed to providing a safe environment for TMS treatment, which includes enhanced cleaning and safety protocols and virtual care options. Take the time to take care of yourself, and schedule your free consultation today.
Let's see if we might be a good fit
Take our short quiz to see if TMS therapy or nasal esketamine could be right for you
Share this post
We're Better Together
Subscribe for mental health, self-care, and TMS therapy and nasal esketamine updates for those affected by treatment-resistant depression or OCD.
Contact Us
By providing your email address, you are consenting to receive blog updates from Greenbrook TMS Inc. You may unsubscribe from these alerts at any time by following the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of email alerts. At Greenbrook TMS Inc. we take the privacy and security of your personal information seriously. To learn more about how we protect your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
You might also like
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.
Greenbrook supports an accessible internet. If you have any questions about our accessibility features, please contact us at
(855) 940-4867 or info@greenbrooktms.com.
