While Depression impacts millions of people across the globe, young adults bear a significant portion of that burden; census data collected in 2021 suggests that around 48% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 struggled with their mental health. While traditional interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescribed antidepressants have long been considered mainstays in frontline treatment plans, how best to help young adults with Depression remains a pressing question.  The search for safe, effective, and sustainable treatments for clinical Depression in young a ..read more

Research on the efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine (Spravato) as a treatment for Depression continues. In particular, three recent analyses provide additional background for patients interested in learning more about this treatment option for Depression, serving as updates to our prior discussions about esketamine. Meta-Analysis of Esketamine Augmentation George I. Papakostas, M.D., et al. conducted a meta-analysis of studies of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) treatment using esketamine nasal spray. The analysis combined the results of five trials with a total of 774 patients whose r ..read more

Finding the right treatment plan to combat major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complicated and delicate endeavor.  While some antidepressants may work to help alleviate the daily burdens of Depression, the wrong medication can cause more harm than good due to upsetting side effects. One such complex condition is known as akathisia, a side effect that can radically undermine an individual’s overall quality of life.  Understanding and Living with Akathisia  What is Akathisia? According to the National Library of Medicine, akathisia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome defined by feelin ..read more

When it comes to comprehensive treatment plans for mood disorders such as Depression and anxiety, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have long been considered a frontline treatment strategy. While antidepressants such as SSRIs can sometimes play a pivotal role in a patient’s mental health regimen, the widespread use of such medications has sparked both curiosity and concern regarding their potential effects on fertility. Contemporary clinical research investigating semen quality poses the question, “Do SSRIs affect fertility?”  Understanding the Effects of SSRIs SSRIs work to ..read more

Over the years, countless patients have turned to antidepressants as a definitive answer to their complex psychological challenges such as major depressive disorder (MDD), clinical anxiety, and panic disorder. As millions of people continue to rely on the beneficial relief provided by these medications in order to improve their quality of life, challenging narratives concerning both the efficacy and the risks associated with antidepressants have begun to percolate into the field of mainstream clinical research. Researchers have continued to challenge conventional wisdom by studying the paradox ..read more

For decades, antidepressants such as SSRIs have long been regarded as first-line treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) and other mood disorders; their importance across many different demographics continues to play a central role in alleviating the global burden of Depression as a disease.  While these medications may prove beneficial under certain circumstances, the risks they pose are not to be ignored, and their drawbacks continue to challenge patients and clinicians alike. Chief among these concerns is a risk known as drug-induced mania (or antidepressant discontinuation-induc ..read more

Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a topic of interest for some of the many people struggling with debilitating symptoms of Depression. While not currently approved for the treatment of Depression, psilocybin has generated discussion as a possibility for the future. Guy M. Goodwin, et al., recently conducted a phase 2 trial with 233 participants to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a proprietary synthetic psilocybin as a treatment for treatment-resistant Depression (TRD). The results of this study are discussed below, along with a comparison of psilocybin and mo ..read more

When it comes to comprehensive treatment plans for mood disorders such as Depression and anxiety, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have long been considered a frontline treatment strategy. While antidepressants such as SSRIs can sometimes play a pivotal role in a patient’s mental health regimen, the widespread use of such medications has sparked both curiosity and concern regarding their potential effects on fertility. Contemporary clinical research investigating semen quality poses the question, “Do SSRIs affect fertility?”  Understanding the Effects of SSRIs SSRIs work to ..read more

Selecting effective antidepressants for the treatment Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is an imprecise practice, with remission rates of just about 30% at the initial treatment choice.  The potential of pharmacogenetic testing for making MDD treatment more precise, predictable and effective is exciting in theory. If effective, it would help patients to avoid trying different antidepressant medications before finding one that works best for their symptoms and with the least risk of adverse effects.  However, because this is an evolving area of science, it is important to stay up-to-dat ..read more

Whenever a new antidepressant becomes available, patients will want to know what it is like to take it. For this reason, we bring you this discussion of the Auvelity experience for patients in terms of how the medication works, how long it takes to work, and what side effects you might experience. Additionally, we will discuss why, for most patients, TMS and Spravato are usually more appropriate and better treatment options. What Is Auvelity? Auvelity is an antidepressant medication that was recently approved by the FDA. Auvelity combines dextromethorphan and bupropion in a tablet format. It w ..read more