If you’ve been struggling with depression and nothing seems to help, you're not alone. For many people, traditional treatments like antidepressants or talk therapy bring significant relief. But for others, the symptoms remain. This type of depression, when symptoms continue despite trying multiple treatments, is known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It’s not uncommon, and it can feel frustrating, discouraging, and overwhelming. But most importantly, it is not hopeless.
What Does Treatment-Resistant Depression Really Mean?
Treatment-resistant depression is a term doctors use when someone has tried at least two different antidepressants, each for an adequate amount of time and at the right dose, but hasn’t seen enough improvement. It doesn’t mean you’re beyond help. It simply means your brain may need a different approach. Depression affects people differently, and one-size-fits-all treatment doesn’t work for everyone.
Why Doesn’t Standard Treatment Always Work?
There are a number of reasons why someone might not respond to typical antidepressants. Brain chemistry is complex, and no two people have exactly the same neurobiology. In some cases, underlying factors like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, trauma, or chronic illness can also play a role in how depression shows up and how it responds to treatment. Sometimes, even daily stress, poor sleep, or lack of social support can make it harder for medications to take effect. And for some people, their depression is rooted in a deeper neurochemical imbalance that traditional medications don’t address well enough.
The Emotional Weight of TRD
If you’re dealing with TRD, you might know the cycle well. You try a new medication or therapy. You wait. You hope. And then nothing changes—or maybe you feel a bit better at first, only to crash again later. Over time, this can take a real emotional toll. You might start to wonder if anything will ever work. You might even stop hoping altogether.
But even when it feels like nothing is working, new options continue to emerge. And many people who once felt hopeless are now finding relief thanks to advances in mental health care.
Emerging Treatments Offer New Hope
When traditional antidepressants don’t help, other treatment options may still bring relief. Ketamine is one example. Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is now being used to treat depression in a whole new way. Unlike traditional antidepressants that affect serotonin or norepinephrine, ketamine works on a different neurotransmitter—glutamate. This unique action seems to “reboot” certain brain pathways and provide quick relief for some people.
At Palo Alto Mind Body, we offer two types of ketamine-based treatment:
For many people with TRD, ketamine and Spravato represent a turning point after months or years of treatment failures and disappointment.
More Than Just Medication
Living with treatment-resistant depression is about more than finding the right medication. It’s also about surrounding yourself with support, compassion, and care. Therapy can be incredibly helpful in learning to manage symptoms, process trauma, or rebuild after long periods of struggle. Support groups can connect you with others who understand what you’re going through. And lifestyle tools like sleep, movement, and mindfulness—while not cures—can help you build resilience and strength along the way.
You Deserve to Feel Better
If you’ve been stuck in a place where nothing seems to help, know that there are still options. Your pain is real, and so is your strength. New treatments like ketamine offer hope to those who’ve tried everything and still feel stuck in depression.
We're with You Every Step of the Way
At Palo Alto Mind Body, we understand how hard the journey can be. Our team specializes in caring for people who feel like they’ve run out of options. We offer advanced treatments like IV ketamine and SPRAVATO® in a safe, supportive setting where your comfort and well-being come first. Every person is different, and we work closely with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs, values, and goals.
Whether you’ve just begun to explore new options or you’ve been searching for relief for years, we’re here to help you take the next step. You are not alone, and you don’t have to navigate this on your own.
Let’s talk. Let’s find what works for you.
