According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 10% of US adults suffer from diagnosable depressive episodes, also known as Major Depressive Disorder. For decades treatment has typically consisted of antidepressant medications, but recent advancements are providing new options for patients. AltaPointe Health is now offering Spravato intranasal ketamine as well as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

MOBILE, Ala., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 10% of US adults suffer from diagnosable depressive episodes, also known as Major Depressive Disorder. For decades treatment has typically consisted of antidepressant medications, but recent advancements are providing new options for patients.

"About one-third of patients who suffer from depression are going to find that they don't get much help, if any, from the traditional medications," explained Kevin Putinta, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist with AltaPointe Health. "We call this treatment-resistant depression. These patients have tried 4 or 5 different antidepressant medications. Maybe they've been successful for a period of time, or maybe they haven't at all."

Putinta said two new breakthrough treatments are providing hope for these patients.

Spravato is a prescription nasal spray administered in a clinical setting.

"You spray it into both nasals, and then we monitor the patients for about two hours after they get the medication just to make sure they are safe, because it can affect blood pressure. But generally, it is safe and effective for most people," explained Putinta.

And Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression.

"Both of these treatments are going to be done in conjunction with standard antidepressant medication, as an additional treatment," added Putinta.

Both TMS and Spravato are now being offered by AltaPointe Health at BayView Professional Associates in Mobile, Alabama. Anyone along the Gulf Coast suffering from treatment-resistant depression can call (251) 450-2211 to see if they may be a candidate for these treatments.

"We can schedule a consultation where I can meet with you and determine if one treatment might be more appropriate than the other. I can help you navigate what treatment recommendations your insurance might require. And I'll do a thorough medical evaluation with you to see if there are any contraindications that would rule out one treatment or the other," explained Putinta.

CLICK HERE to hear Dr. Putinta share information about these new treatments on FM Talk 106.5.

ABOUT ALTAPOINTE
AltaPointe Health is an extensive healthcare system providing primary and behavioral healthcare in Alabama. Each year it provides more than 1 million services to 45,000 patients. Rounding out the continuum, AltaPointe has two psychiatric hospitals serving children and adults, a 24-hour behavioral health crisis center, and 23 outpatient behavioral healthcare clinics. Learn more: http://www.altapointe.org.

Media Contact

April Douglas, AltaPointe Health, (251) 544-4639, adouglas@altapointe.org

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SOURCE AltaPointe Health