Interventional Psychiatry: Tools Toward Achieving Full Remission of Depression

Despite decades of research, standard pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments are not fully effective for many patients with psychiatric disorders. Many patients we see remain partially responsive or unresponsive to medication or are unable to tolerate their side effects. Many also experience less than full recovery from psychotherapy. Fortunately, we have several other options that are often effective for these patients.

Bay Psychiatric Associates’ Interventional Psychiatry Treatment-Resistant Depression Options

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Bay Psychiatric Associates TMS has been employing TMS for almost 15 years and has treated almost 2,000 patients. TMS was cleared by the FDA initially for Major Depressive Disorder and has also been approved for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Most of our patients have suffered greater than three medication failures in their current episode of depression; more than 80% of those same patients go on to experience significant relief from TMS.

Ketamine / Spravato (Esketamine)

The newest psychiatric intervention approval by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression is Spravato (Esketamine), a derivative of Ketamine. Ketamine has been used successfully as an off-label treatment for depression for nearly 20 years, primarily in intravenous, intramuscular, and oral forms. Now, thanks to Spravato, it can be delivered in nasal form.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Many would argue that interventional psychiatry was founded when ECT was integrated as an accepted intervention for treatment-refractory depression and acute suicidality beginning in 1938. Our team at Bay Psychiatric Associates, since its founding in 1994, has viewed ECT as an essential and valuable treatment option. We have prescribed thousands of ECT procedures and have seen many regain wellness due to its efficacy. Although ECT is highly effective, especially for the most severe and treatment-resistant depression, we now have other options to consider before moving to ECT.

Bay Psychiatric Associates offers TMS therapy and Ketamine/Spravato in a private setting. ECT is delivered through the psychiatric service at the Herrick campus of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

Bay Psychiatric Associates is in a unique position to offer all proven modalities of Interventional Psychiatry, whether it be ECT, TMS or Ketamine/Spravato to help our patients achieve full remission from Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.