For many, depression feels like a heavy, invisible weight that’s always there, making it hard to move forward. All people experience ups and downs, but depression is more than just feeling sad—it’s deeper and can impact the way someone thinks, feels, and navigates daily life.
If you or someone you care about is navigating these challenges, recognizing the signs of severe depression is an essential first step in seeking support. If you’re looking for targeted options, such as Spravato® treatment, Northeast Health Services offers innovative approaches to help address severe or treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Taking that step could be the key to finding relief.
What To Know About Depression
Depression is more prevalent than you might think. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 21 million adults in the United States have experienced at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 8.3% of all U.S. adults.1 It can manifest in various forms, from fatigue to feelings of hopelessness. For some, these symptoms resolve with supportive strategies or minor lifestyle adjustments. However, for others, depression becomes a persistent condition requiring professional intervention.
Severe depression can cause symptoms that interfere with nearly every aspect of life, from maintaining relationships to succeeding at work or school. These impacts underscore the need for recognizing red flags early and pursuing tailored care that addresses each person’s needs.
What Are the Different Depressive Disorders?
Not all cases of depression are the same. The type of depressive disorder someone may experience informs their symptoms and treatment. Here are a few common types of depression that clinicians address regularly:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) – Often characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and physical symptoms such as fatigue or altered sleep
- Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) – A more extended, chronic form of depression that lasts for two or more years but may not have the same intensity as MDD
- Bipolar disorder – Alternates between episodes of depression and mania, requiring specialized care
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – A type of depression tied to seasonal changes, often worsening during the fall and winter months
- Postpartum depression – Experienced by some parents after giving birth, involving emotional highs and lows and a risk of more severe symptoms without treatment
Recognizing which type of depression is at play can help identify the most effective treatment path, whether through medication management, therapy, or interventional techniques like Neurostar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy or Spravato®.
What Are the Signs of Severe Depression?
Severe depression often looks different than mild forms of the condition. Providing compassionate care starts with recognizing the signs and acknowledging what someone is going through. Some common signs of severe depression to look out for include:
- Feeling completely drained – Constant exhaustion that doesn’t go away, no matter how much rest you get, making it hard to get through the day
- Struggling with hopelessness – Feeling like things will never improve or that positive change is out of reach
- Social withdrawal – Losing interest in spending time with family and friends, even if they were once sources of joy
- Changes in sleep or appetite – Drastic shifts in sleeping too much, struggling with insomnia, overeating, or losing interest in food entirely
- Concentration problems – Difficulty focusing or making decisions, impacting work or personal responsibilities
- Thoughts of death or suicide – Persistent thoughts of dying or harming oneself
These symptoms may indicate a need for specialized support through tailored treatments that offer long-term relief when these symptoms intensify.
Northeast Health Services is dedicated to supporting your mental health. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, we encourage you to reach out for immediate support through your local crisis services by dialing 988, contacting your local emergency services, or visiting your local emergency room.
Is Severe Depression the Same as Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Severe depression can be incredibly challenging, but it doesn’t always mean someone has treatment-resistant depression. TRD happens when someone hasn’t found relief after trying at least two different antidepressant medications at proper doses. This lack of progress often leads to heightened frustration and despair.
For clients facing TRD, options like Spravato®, a treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment-resistant depression, may offer quick symptom relief. Trained providers administer Spravato® through a nasal spray in a clinical setting, ensuring safety and monitoring progress. This treatment has shown the potential to make a significant difference when other therapies fall short.
How Spravato® Treatment Can Help
Spravato® (esketamine) is a promising option for people with treatment-resistant depression. At Northeast Health Services, we combine Spravato® with existing antidepressant therapy to maximize its benefits. Some of the key advantages of Spravato® include the following:
- Fast symptom relief – Many report improvements within hours of starting treatment
- Supervised care – Skilled healthcare providers administer Spravato® in a comfortable setting
- FDA approval for efficacy – This alternative is approved explicitly for TRD, helping those with unmet needs
Spravato® can be a game changer, offering hope where conventional treatments haven’t worked. To find out if this treatment could be right for you, consult one of our empathetic specialists at Northeast Health Services.
Find Support for Severe Depression with Northeast Health Services in Massachusetts
Severe depression doesn’t have to define your life. With the right approach, joy, clarity, and connection can be restored and emerge even stronger than before. Whether emotional support or treatment like Spravato® is ideal for your situation, the team at Northeast Health Services wants you to know one thing—you’re not alone.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your mental health journey, click here to reach out to our team of empathetic mental health care experts. For existing clients, please click here and find your office location to contact your office directly.
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