Antidepressants have long been the standard treatment for depression. They are generally effective for most patients (although about one-third of patients will not be helped with antidepressants) and are easily obtained with a prescription.
Despite their wide use, antidepressants are not for everyone. Patients often complain about unwelcome side effects such as weight gain, feeling “flat”, sexual dysfunction, and more. We often hear patients say they feel stuck between two bad options – either not taking the medication and dealing with the symptoms of depression or taking the medication and dealing with side effects from the medications themselves.
But those aren’t the only options! Ketamine and Spravato have changed depression treatment in Delray Beach – and our patients are welcoming the change. Ketamine infusions and Spravato are two types of ketamine therapy that are both fast-acting, effective tools for treating depression.
But more than that, ketamine and Spravato therapy offer the possibility of deprescription, which is a medically supervised taper, reduction or discontinuation of medications, such as antidepressants. In other words, Spravato and ketamine therapy can alleviate the depression symptoms while avoiding the side effects associated with antidepressants. What’s not to like?
Let’s look at how NeuPath Mind Wellness is using ketamine and Spravato at our clinic in Delray Beach to help patients with deprescription of antidepressants.
What Is Deprescription?
Deprescription is a deliberate medical process to reduce or stop medications that may no longer be wanted or might even be causing harm (such as negative side effects from antidepressants). Deprescription is a process, not an event: please do not stop taking your medication without first consulting with a psychiatrist (you can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist in Delray Beach by filling out our contact form).
In psychiatry, deprescribing is especially tricky. Antidepressants can cause withdrawal symptoms, and stopping too quickly can result in a relapse. But when done right—slowly, carefully, and under medical supervision—it can be managed safely. For many patients, the real challenge is finding an alternative that can keep symptoms at bay while tapering off the unwanted medication.
That’s where ketamine and Spravato come in.
How Ketamine and Spravato Treat Depression
Antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs take several weeks to show effects. Ketamine is much faster, with a measurable improvement often within hours. That’s because ketamine therapy works through a completely different mechanism, targeting the brain’s glutamate system. The rapid relief from ketamine therapy is one of the main reasons patients choose ketamine therapy at NeuPath Mind Wellness.
Spravato is a nasal spray version of esketamine (a form of ketamine) and is FDA-approved to treat depression, and even treatment-resistant depression. Like ketamine infusions, Spravato therapy is fast-acting, with patients noticing improvement within hours or days of starting treatment.
Because ketamine and Spravato are both fast-acting depression treatments, they are particularly useful in helping patients with deprescription because they help manage depression symptoms while tapering off medication.
Why Patients Struggle With Antidepressants
Antidepressants are associated with a host of negative side effects, which include:
· Emotional numbing or lack of joy
· Sexual dysfunction
· Weight gain
· Fatigue and sleep disturbances
· Cognitive dulling
Because these side effects are unpleasant (at best) and can severely impact normal life function, many patients are choosing to try alternative depression treatments. However, it can be a challenge to reduce use of antidepressants, especially if they have been used for a long period of time.
A deprescription process overseen by a psychiatrist can help alleviate many of these side effects. Patients often report sharper thinking, a return of natural emotions, and improved physical energy as they begin to wean themselves off medication.
Deprescription with Ketamine Treatment
Patients who want to taper off antidepressants often worry about emotional roller coaster. SSRI withdrawal is real. If not carefully supervised by a psychiatrist, SSRI withdrawal can cause symptoms such as brain fog, dizziness, “spacing out”, and a return of depression symptoms. Ketamine helps stabilize your mood during the tapering process, acting as a cushion that absorbs some of the impact of withdrawal.
During the medication taper, ketamine therapy is also working in other ways. It doesn’t just help to alleviate symptoms; ketamine therapy produces neuroplasticity in the brain. This state of neuroplasticity means the brain is adaptable to change. Your brain can “rewire” and build healthier pathways that alleviate depression long-term. Some clinicians have described this process as pressing the “reset” button on the brain’s mood regulation system.
Find a Psychiatrist in Delray Beach
If you are interested in reducing your antidepressant use, the first step is to contact a psychiatrist who is experienced at helping patients with deprescription. Ideally, the psychiatrist has tools such as ketamine therapy or Spravato to assist in the process.
Our Delray Beach psychiatrists are well-versed in helping patients reduce dependency on antidepressants with the assistance of ketamine therapy. Our patients benefit from their careful oversight while tapering off medications to achieve a healthier, natural way of treating depression.
At NeuPath Mind Wellness in Delray Beach, we are not just focused on symptom control, but on whole-person health. Deprescription from antidepressants fits perfectly with this treatment goal. You can achieve a happier, healthier life that is free from depression and anxiety – even without medication.
If you’ve been on antidepressants for years and feel like you’re just managing side effects rather than thriving, it might be time for a new approach. Schedule an appointment at NeuPath Mind Wellness today for a consultation to discuss your goals and needs. You can call us at 561-847-3662 or text us at 561-279-3250.
