NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
(855) 940-4867
(855) 940-4867
4 Things to Know: When COVID-19 Makes Your Depression Worse
COVID-19 has upended almost every facet of life. For those struggling with depression or other mental health conditions, heightened stress and tension can make symptoms worse. Despite everything going on around us, it’s not only
possible to manage your depression during the pandemic, but critical to get through this period of uncertainty and beyond it. Below are four things you need to know if COVID-19 is making your depression worse.
1. It's not just you: stressful situations can lead to
increased depression symptoms
Especially when everyone is under extra stressors and encountering new challenges, it’s important to continue any treatment that you had in place prior to the pandemic. For those who are already managing depression or find themselves with worse symptoms, continuing with talk therapy, taking antidepressants, or following through on non-drug therapies like TMS is crucial for maintaining consistency for your mental health. If you feel like your medication isn’t working anymore, it’s important to stay on it until you talk to a doctor about stopping. Stopping cold turkey could lead to discontinuation syndrome, which causes insomnia and flu like symptoms, among other indicators of withdrawal.
2. You’re not selfish for wanting to feel better
Feelings of depression, even during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, are valid and understandable. Some people might feel their distress is less valid when thousands of lives have been lost, and many people are directly suffering from grief and loss. It’s important to know that it isn’t selfish to want to feel better, and another person’s suffering does not make your own less important. Experiencing depression, and wanting to improve your symptoms is justified, even if you have not been directly impacted by COVID-19.
3. Don’t make any changes to your treatment, especially regarding medication without talking to your doctor
If you find that your depression is getting worse, remember that it’s normal to feel bad when experiencing a stressful, elongated crisis. According to the CDC , those with depression and other mental health conditions “may be particularly vulnerable in an emergency… People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms.” The collective world experience we are living through right now has impacted so many parts of our lives that we take for granted. Anyone experiencing changes in symptoms should know that this is ordinary and natural, given the circumstances.
4. Treating depression is about more than just your mental health
Treating depression can help many other aspects of your health, including your physical health. Your mental health doesn’t effect just your mood, but also impacts how your body functions and operates . Untreated depression comes with the risk of a lowered immune system, digestive tract issues, insomnia, heart disease, and more. That means that getting help for your depression will not only help improve your mood and energy, but it’ll also help keep you physically well.
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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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