When Nothing Seems to Work: Finding Hope Through Spravato®

Living with depression can feel like carrying a heavy weight every day, especially when medications you’ve tried haven’t brought relief. This experience is known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), affecting adults who don’t respond adequately to at least two different antidepressants.[1] If you’ve felt stuck, frustrated, or hopeless, you are not alone — and there is a new treatment option designed to help.

Understanding Treatment-Resistant Depression

TRD can leave people feeling isolated, drained, and uncertain about the future. Traditional antidepressants target serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine, but sometimes these approaches aren’t enough. That’s where Spravato® (esketamine) comes in — a medication that works differently and has provided meaningful relief for many adults who previously had few options.[2]

How Spravato Offers a New Approach

Spravato is a nasal spray administered under medical supervision. Unlike standard oral antidepressants, Spravato acts on the NMDA receptor in the brain, affecting glutamate — a neurotransmitter involved in mood and emotional regulation.[3] This unique mechanism can help “reset” brain pathways, potentially reducing depressive symptoms in days rather than weeks.

Clinical studies have shown that Spravato, used in combination with an oral antidepressant, can provide rapid relief for adults with TRD. Patients report improved mood, increased motivation, and a greater ability to engage with therapy and daily life.[4]

What Treatment Looks Like

Spravato sessions occur at a certified clinic, such as Adult Family Health Services, where patients self-administer the nasal spray under supervision. During treatment, healthcare providers monitor for any side effects, such as mild dizziness or drowsiness. Patients remain in the clinic for approximately two hours and need transportation home after each session.

Treatment is typically twice a week at the start, tapering over time as symptoms improve. Your care plan will be personalized, combining Spravato therapy with oral medications, counseling, and lifestyle support to ensure the best outcomes.

Finding Hope Again

TRD can make it feel as though you’ve tried everything — and nothing works. Spravato provides a new avenue for healing, helping many patients regain emotional stability and a sense of hope. While it isn’t a cure, Spravato can be a powerful tool in a comprehensive depression treatment plan.

At Adult Family Health Services, our compassionate team understands the challenges of TRD. We provide a safe, supportive environment for Spravato treatment and ongoing mental health care, guiding patients every step of the way.

If you’ve struggled to find relief from depression, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact Adult Family Health Services today to learn if Spravato may be right for you.

References

1. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “Treatment-Resistant Depression.”

2. U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). “FDA Approves New Nasal Spray Medication for Treatment-Resistant Depression.” 2019.

3. Janssen Pharmaceuticals. “Spravato® (esketamine) Nasal Spray Prescribing Information.”

4. Daly EJ, Trivedi MH, et al. “Efficacy of Esketamine Nasal Spray in Treatment-Resistant Depression: Results from Phase 3 Studies.” American Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;176(6):428–438.