At Cassidy Psychiatry in Lakeland, Florida, we understand that depression doesn’t affect everyone the same way, and finding an effective treatment plan isn’t always straightforward. Led by experienced psychiatrist Curtis W. Cassidy, M.D., our team provides personalized psychiatric care for individuals experiencing persistent depression, including those who have not responded adequately to traditional antidepressant medications.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a term used when someone with major depressive disorder has not experienced sufficient improvement after trying at least two different antidepressant treatments at appropriate doses and for an adequate length of time.
For many people, antidepressant medications and psychotherapy can provide meaningful relief. However, others may continue experiencing depression symptoms despite following their prescribed treatment plans. Treatment-resistant depression does not necessarily mean depression cannot be treated. It means that a different approach, additional evaluation, or alternative treatment options may be needed.
At Cassidy Psychiatry, we work with patients to better understand their symptoms, previous treatment experiences, and individual needs before recommending the next steps in their care.
It isn’t always easy to recognize when a depression treatment is no longer helping or hasn’t been effective enough. Some people experience partial improvement but continue struggling with symptoms that affect their everyday lives.
Signs that your current depression treatment may need to be reassessed include:
Continuing to feel emotionally low, discouraged, or disconnected despite treatment.
Finding little pleasure in activities, relationships, or hobbies you previously enjoyed.
Feeling physically or mentally exhausted even when getting adequate rest.
Struggling with focus, memory, decision-making, or completing everyday tasks.
Experiencing ongoing sleep disturbances or noticeable changes in eating habits.
Experiencing little relief, or only temporary improvement, after trying prescribed antidepressants.
A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms are consistent with treatment-resistant depression or whether other factors may be affecting your response to treatment.
Depression is a complex mental health condition, and there is no single treatment that works for everyone. Several factors can influence how someone responds to depression treatment, including:
People respond differently to antidepressant medications. A medication that works well for one person may provide limited relief or cause difficult side effects for another.
Anxiety disorders, ADHD, substance use, sleep disorders, and certain physical health conditions can complicate depression treatment or contribute to overlapping symptoms.
Some symptoms associated with depression can also occur with other psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder. Reviewing an individual’s diagnosis and symptom history is an important part of identifying appropriate treatment options.
Sometimes a medication has not been taken at an effective dose or for a sufficient length of time to determine whether it is working. Side effects, medication interactions, and difficulties following a treatment plan can also influence results.
For individuals who have not experienced meaningful improvement with traditional antidepressant medications, ketamine therapy may offer another treatment option. Ketamine works differently from conventional antidepressants, affecting pathways in the brain associated with mood regulation and potentially providing relief for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
At Cassidy Psychiatry in Lakeland, FL, Curtis W. Cassidy, M.D. brings extensive experience in innovative depression treatments, including ketamine-based therapies. His commitment to advancing psychiatric care led him to develop KetaMist® in 2021, a ketamine-based treatment designed to provide an additional option for appropriate patients experiencing persistent depression.
Extensive Experience with KetaMist® Treatments
Experience matters when exploring advanced psychiatric treatments. Dr. Cassidy and his team have administered more than 8,000 KetaMist® treatments at Cassidy Psychiatry, reflecting the practice’s substantial hands-on experience with this approach to treating depression.
Unlike traditional psychiatry practices that may focus primarily on medication management, Cassidy Psychiatry offers patients access to ketamine-based treatment under the guidance of an experienced psychiatric team.
Every patient’s experience with depression is different. Dr. Cassidy evaluates each individual’s symptoms, treatment history, medical considerations, and goals to determine whether KetaMist® may be an appropriate part of a personalized treatment plan.
Interested in learning whether KetaMist® may be right for you?
Schedule a consultation with Cassidy Psychiatry to discuss your treatment history and explore available options for treatment-resistant depression.
When traditional antidepressant medications haven’t provided sufficient relief, additional treatment options may be considered. The appropriate approach depends on your diagnosis, medical history, previous treatment experiences, and individual needs.
For some patients, improving depression symptoms may involve adjusting an existing medication, switching antidepressants, or adding another medication to the treatment plan.
Our psychiatric providers offer medication management services by carefully reviewing previous medications, treatment responses, side effects, and other relevant health considerations to help determine appropriate next steps.
Spravato® is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray containing esketamine that may be an option for eligible adults with treatment-resistant depression.
Unlike traditional antidepressant medications, Spravato acts on a different brain signaling system involved in mood regulation. Treatment is administered under medical supervision in a certified healthcare setting, with monitoring after each session.
Although Spravato® is not currently offered at Cassidy Psychiatry, it remains an option patients may wish to discuss when exploring advanced treatments for depression.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is an FDA-cleared treatment option for major depressive disorder and may be considered when antidepressant medications have not provided sufficient relief.
Dr. Cassidy has extensive experience with TMS, having been among Florida’s early providers of NeuroStar TMS beginning in 2009. While TMS is not currently offered at Cassidy Psychiatry, his background with advanced depression treatments contributes to the practice’s understanding of treatment options for patients with persistent symptoms.
There is no single treatment that works for everyone experiencing treatment-resistant depression. At Cassidy Psychiatry, our goal is to help patients understand their options and develop individualized treatment plans based on their needs, medical history, and previous responses to treatment.
Whether your care involves medication adjustments or exploring KetaMist® treatment, our team is committed to helping you find a path forward.
When you’re managing a condition like treatment-resistant depression, having access to experienced psychiatric professionals can make an important difference in understanding your options and developing a treatment plan.
At Cassidy Psychiatry, patients benefit from a team of psychiatric mental health professionals led by Curtis W. Cassidy, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience treating complex and treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions. Working alongside Dr. Cassidy are psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who provide individualized evaluations, medication management, and ongoing psychiatric care.
Together, our team focuses on understanding each patient’s symptoms, treatment history, and personal goals to develop an appropriate plan for ongoing mental health care. As a locally established psychiatric practice in Lakeland, we offer patients throughout Polk County access to professional psychiatric care close to home.
Cassidy Psychiatry is a private-pay psychiatric practice and does not participate with insurance plans. We are committed to transparent, upfront pricing, so patients can make informed decisions about their care. Our team is happy to answer questions about appointment fees and treatment costs before you schedule your visit.
Treatment-resistant depression is commonly identified when a person with major depressive disorder has not experienced adequate improvement after trying at least two antidepressant treatments at appropriate doses and durations. A psychiatric evaluation can help determine whether this definition applies to your situation and whether other factors may be influencing your symptoms.
If antidepressants aren’t providing sufficient relief, your psychiatric provider may review your diagnosis, medication history, dosage, side effects, and other health conditions. Depending on the findings, recommendations may include medication adjustments, additional therapies, or treatments such as Spravato or TMS.
Yes. Some people with treatment-resistant depression experience meaningful improvement with a revised treatment plan or alternative therapies. However, treatment responses vary, and no specific treatment can guarantee results. The goal is to identify an approach that addresses your individual needs.
Ketamine-based treatments may be an option for some patients with treatment-resistant depression who have not experienced adequate relief from traditional antidepressant medications. Curtis W. Cassidy, M.D. developed KetaMist® as an additional treatment option for appropriate patients. Eligibility depends on a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medical history, and previous treatment experiences. Ketamine-based treatments are not all FDA-approved for depression, and your provider can help determine whether this approach may be appropriate for you.
Not necessarily. Some treatments can be added to an existing medication regimen, while others may require changes. Your psychiatric provider will evaluate your medications and recommend a plan based on your specific circumstances. Do not stop or change prescribed medications without medical guidance.
Consider scheduling a psychiatric evaluation if your depression symptoms continue despite treatment, medications cause difficult side effects, or symptoms significantly interfere with your work, relationships, sleep, or daily activities.
Cassidy Psychiatry is a private-pay practice and does not participate with insurance plans. Patients are responsible for the cost of their appointments and treatments. Our team is committed to transparent, upfront pricing and can provide information about fees and payment options before scheduling.
Ketamine Therapy and Neuroplasticity: How the Brain Can Heal
Learn how ketamine treatment relates to neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections, and what this may mean for people experiencing depression.
Personalized Psychiatry: How Genetic Testing Can Improve Your Medication Plan
Explore how pharmacogenomic testing may provide additional information to help psychiatric providers make medication decisions.
Depression – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
A comprehensive overview of depression symptoms, diagnosis, medications, and treatment options, including treatment-resistant depression.
New Hope for Rapid-Acting Depression Treatment (NIMH)
Learn about research into ketamine and other emerging approaches for people whose depression has not responded adequately to traditional treatments.
If you’ve been living with persistent depression and haven’t found sufficient relief through previous treatments, a new psychiatric evaluation at Cassidy Psychiatry may help you better understand why previous treatments may not have worked and whether medication adjustments, KetaMist®, or other appropriate options may be worth considering.
At Cassidy Psychiatry, our team provides personalized psychiatric care for patients in Lakeland and surrounding Polk County communities, including individuals experiencing treatment-resistant depression who are invested in finding a new course of action that works for them.
You don’t have to keep following a treatment plan that isn’t providing the relief you need without exploring other options.
Schedule an appointment with Cassidy Psychiatry to discuss your symptoms, previous treatments, and potential next steps.
