If you’ve been living with crippling depression or anxiety, you know how deeply it can affect every part of life. It’s more than just feeling sad or overwhelmed. It’s the heaviness that doesn’t lift, the moments that don’t feel joyful anymore, and the exhaustion that comes from trying so hard to feel better… and still not getting there.
Maybe you’ve tried therapy, medications from a psychiatrist, or both. You’ve done the journaling, the deep breathing, the early mornings, and the late-night pep talks. And still, the weight is there. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, many people go through this exact experience, and it’s called treatment-resistant depression.
Hearing that term for the first time can be comforting and frustrating all at once. Comforting because it means you’re not just “doing it wrong.” It’s frustrating because it means you might need something different, something more. That’s why more people are turning to Spravato® Treatment in Los Angeles.
Spravato®: A New Option When Nothing Else Has Helped
Ketamine isn’t something new to the medical field. It’s been used in hospitals for decades, mostly to help manage pain or as part of anesthesia during surgeries. What’s new is how it’s now being used in mental health care. Psychiatrists and mental health clinicians have discovered that when ketamine is given in small, carefully measured doses, it can actually help people who are struggling with depression and anxiety, especially when other treatments haven’t worked.
One special form of ketamine treatment is called Spravato®. It is the brand name for esketamine, which is a slightly different form of ketamine made specifically for mental health treatment. What makes it unique is that it’s given as a nasal spray, not a pill or an injection.
But this isn’t something you do at home on your own. Spravato® is given in a clinic under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional, like a doctor or nurse. You spray it into your nose while sitting in a quiet, comfortable room, and then you stay there for a couple of hours while the medication takes effect. This way, the staff can check in on you, answer any questions, and make sure you’re feeling safe and supported the entire time.
How Is Spravato® Different From Trying Another Antidepressant?
Spravato® works differently. It is FDA-approved for adults who have treatment-resistant depression, meaning they’ve already tried at least two other antidepressants without enough success.
Additionally, Spravato® affects a completely different part of the brain, specifically the glutamate system, which is linked to mood, emotions, and how we respond to stress. Some patients say they feel relief from treatment-resistant depression within hours or days, not weeks. And while it doesn’t work for everyone, it has been life-changing for many people who felt like they were out of options.
Why Do Patients Choose Ketamine Therapy?
We asked some of the psychiatrists and mental health clinicians at Pacific Mind Health why their patients are choosing ketamine or Spravato®. Here’s what they shared:
“People come to us after trying multiple medications without relief. When we introduce the idea of ketamine, they often feel a sense of hope again.” — Joshua Flatow, MD
“What makes ketamine so different is how quickly some people start to feel better. We’re talking hours or days—not months.” — Gol Ara, MD
Here are some of the main reasons patients choose ketamine therapy:
• They’ve tried two or more antidepressants without success
• They’re tired of waiting weeks for medications to start working
• They want an alternative approach that’s backed by research
• They’re looking for relief that allows them to function and feel present in their lives again
What Some of Our Patients Are Saying About Spravato® Treatment
“The staff at Pacific Mind Health helped me through all my hard times. And then there is Spravato, which was a whole other great experience. What I loved the most is that the whole staff was so welcoming and caring helping me find the right depression treatment.” – C.B.
“Pacific Mind Health has had a huge impact on my mental health! I was fortunate enough to feel the positive effects of Spravato after my first treatment.” – Douglas
“Amazing. My first appointment was an hour long and the psychiatrist was great! She made sure I was comfortable with answering questions. She took her time and made sure to really accommodate to my needs and helped me with Spravato. Best
experience and I can’t wait to further my relationship with this clinic.” – Lina
Why Some People May Say No to Ketamine Therapy
As with any treatment, ketamine therapy isn’t right for everyone and that’s okay. People with certain medical or mental health conditions may not be candidates for Spravato®. People with certain heart conditions, substance abuse issues, or uncontrolled high blood pressure should discuss these factors with our team.
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All in Mental Health
At the end of the day, your healing journey is personal. What works for one person might not work for another. Ketamine therapy is just one option among many, but for people with treatment-resistant depression, it can be life-changing.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, exhausted, or hopeless—if you’ve been doing your best and still not feeling better—Spravato® might be something worth exploring. It’s not about giving up on healing. It’s about finding a new path when the old ones aren’t working anymore.
You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And you do have choices. If you’re curious, you can always schedule a free info session to learn more and see if Spravato® treatment could be a good fit for you or someone you love.
