What is Spravato? Relief for Resistant Depression

For many people living with depression, the right combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can bring real relief. But for others, the darkness of depression doesn’t lift, no matter how many treatments they try.

This experience, known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), can leave you feeling isolated, discouraged, and unsure where to turn next.

If this is where you find yourself, you’re not alone—and there is hope. In recent years, a new treatment option called Spravato has been offering fresh possibilities for people who haven’t found success with traditional antidepressants. 

In this blog, we will explore what Spravato is, how it works, what to expect during treatment, and address common misconceptions about depression that too often stand in the way of getting help.

Your journey is unique, and the path to healing may look different from what you imagined, but new doors are opening. Spravato might be one of them.

Understanding Treatment-Resistant Depression

Depression is a complex condition that affects both mind and body, influencing every part of daily life. 

For many, medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs, combined with therapy, can ease symptoms over time. But for some, even after trying multiple antidepressants at adequate doses and durations, the relief never fully comes. This is called treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Living with TRD can be exhausting, not only because of the symptoms themselves, but because of the emotional toll of feeling like nothing works. It’s easy to begin questioning yourself or to believe damaging myths, such as “I’m just not trying hard enough” or “I should be able to snap out of this.”

These misconceptions about depression are untrue and can keep people from seeking new forms of help.TRD is not a personal failure—it’s a medical condition that sometimes needs a different approach. 

That’s why treatments like Spravato have been developed to provide hope when other options haven’t worked.

What is Spravato?

Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a medication approved by the FDA for adults with treatment-resistant depression. 

Unlike traditional antidepressants, which are taken at home in pill form, Spravato is a nasal spray administered in a certified clinic under the supervision of trained healthcare providers.

Spravato can be used on its own or alongside oral medication to enhance effects. 

Each session is carefully monitored, giving your care team the ability to track your progress, manage any side effects, and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

For many people, Spravato is a chance to explore a treatment that works in a different way and offers the possibility of relief when other options haven’t helped.

How Does Spravato Work?

Most traditional antidepressants work by increasing the availability of certain neurotransmitters—like serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine—in the brain. While this can be effective for many people, it often takes weeks to notice improvement. For some, the benefits never fully arrive.

Spravato works differently. It targets the brain’s glutamate system, which plays a key role in mood regulation, learning, and memory. 

While research is still ongoing, studies have shown that Spravato can bring meaningful relief to individuals with treatment-resistant depression, offering not just symptom reduction, but renewed hope for healing and recovery.

Steps in Spravato Treatment: What the Process Looks Like

If you and your provider decide Spravato may be right for you, treatment begins with a careful, step-by-step process designed for safety, comfort, and progress.

1. Initial Evaluation – Before your first dose, your care team will review your medical history, current medications, and overall health to ensure Spravato is a safe choice. They’ll also talk through what you can expect during and after each session.

2. First Treatment Session – On the day of treatment, you’ll arrive at the clinic and be guided to a comfortable space. You’ll self-administer Spravato nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider, then rest for about two hours while staff monitor you.

3. Ongoing Sessions – Spravato treatments usually start twice a week, then taper to once a week or less, depending on your progress. Your provider will track changes in your mood and adjust the plan as needed.

   
   

What Does Spravato Treatment Feel Like? 

Experiences vary—some describe a sense of lightness, calm, or slight dissociation, while others feel drowsy or simply relaxed. 

Your care team will be there the entire time to ensure you feel safe and supported. This structured approach makes treatment predictable and ensures that you’re never navigating the process alone.

Is Spravato Covered by Insurance?

One of the first questions many people have is whether Spravato will be covered by insurance, and understandably so. 

The Spravato cost can vary widely depending on factors like dosage, frequency, and location, and without coverage, it can be significant.

The good news is that many insurance companies do cover Spravato for people diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. It often requires prior authorization, however. This means your provider will need to submit documentation showing you’ve tried other treatments without success.

If you’re unsure about your coverage, your care team can help by contacting your insurance provider, explaining medical necessity, and walking you through financial assistance programs if needed. 

While navigating insurance can feel overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone—there are resources and advocates ready to help make treatment accessible.

Side Effects of Spravato 

Like any medication, Spravato can cause side effects, though most are temporary and closely monitored during treatment. 

Common side effects include: 

• Mild dissociation

• Dizziness

• Nausea 

• Changes in blood pressure

• Drowsiness

  
  

Because Spravato is always administered in a clinic, your care team will watch for these effects and make sure you’re safe before you leave. For most patients, side effects fade within a few hours, and many find they become milder over time.

What to Do After Spravato Treatment

After each session, plan to rest and avoid driving or operating machinery until the next day. Many people go home to relax, nap, or engage in gentle activities like listening to music or spending quiet time with loved ones.

It’s also helpful to track your mood and symptoms between treatments, as this can guide your provider in adjusting your treatment plan. 

Pairing Spravato with therapy, healthy routines, and support systems great ways to strengthen and sustain its benefits.

Misconceptions About Depression and Spravato

Depression is often misunderstood, and these misconceptions can make it harder to seek help. Some people believe depression is simply sadness or a personal weakness, but in reality, it’s a medical condition affecting the brain and body.

Addressing common misconceptions about depression is an important step toward hope and healing.

Spravato itself is sometimes misunderstood, too. While it can help people find relief faster than other treatments, it is not a “quick fix.” Relief is not guaranteed immediately for everyone, and ongoing sessions in combination with other treatments are usually necessary for lasting improvement. 

Spravato is closely monitored for side effects, making it a safe and structured treatment option.

Conclusion

Living with treatment-resistant depression can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that new options and support exist. 

Spravato offers a different approach, one that has helped many people find relief when other treatments haven’t worked.

Recovery is rarely linear, and each person’s journey is unique. By seeking help, exploring new treatments, and leaning on support systems, you can make a meaningful difference in your recovery. You are not alone. With guidance from a trusted healthcare provider, hope and healing are within reach!

Advanced Psychiatry is Here to Help You

If you’re wondering whether Spravato could be right for you, the best next step is talking with a qualified provider. 

At Advanced Psychiatry, we are here to answer your questions, walk you through the process, and support you every step of the way. We provide authentic and trusted treatment options to those in the Fort Wayne, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Troy communities. 

If you are considering Spravato, please reach out to schedule a consultation and learn more about how this innovative treatment may fit into your journey toward healing.