The Basics of Apollo Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Revolutionary Approach to Mental Health Care

In the serene, tree-filled setting of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Sweetgrass Psychiatry is pioneering a transformative approach to mental health care that is both innovative and accessible. We're proud to introduce FDA-cleared Apollo Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a groundbreaking treatment modality that offers hope and healing to individuals battling with psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. This state-of-the-art therapy is not just effective; it's also covered by most major insurance companies, making it accessible to those in need.

Six Powerful Ways to Maximize Your Spravato / Esketamine Treatment through Integration Therapy

Spravato (esketamine) is a magical and mysterious medication, highly effective for treating stubborn depression. These patient administered nasal devices have not only saved countless of my patients’ lives from suicide, but Spravato has rescued so many of them from being trapped in their negative perspectives. That being said, this medication is a powerful force and requires careful and thoughtful compassion and intentionality poured into each individual who opens themselves up to the healing properties this medication can provide.

The Risks of Home-Administered Ketamine for Depression: A Psychiatrist’s Perspective

Ketamine, originally known as a powerful anesthetic, has gained attention for its rapid antidepressant effects by acting on the NMDA receptor and modulating glutamate in the brain. In controlled clinical settings, ketamine has proven efficacy in treating severe and treatment-resistant depression. However, the growing trend of using ketamine at home, often without medical supervision, raises significant concerns.

What does a Spravato treatment course entail for depression? Will I need maintenance treatments?

In most cases, patients respond to esketamine and continue with regular dosing usually every 2-3 weeks. Infrequently, they will require redosing weekly or monthly. Stopping the medication after a response is uncommon and usual among those who have consistently mild depression.

How Does Spravato / Esketamine Help with Depression?

If you have treatment resistant major depression, live in the Charleston SC or Mount Pleasant, SC area and are interested in scheduling a Spravato consultation, please call Sweetgrass Psychiatry at (843) 800-1303.

Stubborn Depression? TMS or Spravato treatment may be the solution

Depression that does not respond to 2 or more antidepressant medications of therapeutic dose for at least 6 weeks is what I call “sticky depression” or more formally, treatment resistant depression. Luckily it does not have to be treatment resistant anymore because I have 2 major weapons against “sticky depression” - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (esketamine nasal spray). Luckily, both are very safe, FDA approved/cleared, and are covered by most major insurance plans. Often, the biggest challenge is deciding which treatment is best for my individual patient because most patients are great candidates for both treatments.

What is it Like to Receive Ketamine for Depression?

When other traditional treatments for depression are not working, such as psychotherapy, medications (SSRIs, SNRIs), exercise, and healthy eating, there are other great treatment options. At Sweetgrass Psychiatry in Mount Pleasant, SC, we are pleased to provide our patients with treatment resistant depression HOPE. One evidence based, safe treatment option is Intramuscular (IM) ketamine.

Dudes Expressing Feelings: A Literature Review of Major Depressive Disorder in Young Adult Men

Men suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are diagnosed at half the rate of women but die by suicide 3 to 4 times as frequently (Swetlitz, 2021). Researchers argue that one of the key reasons behind this phenomenon is how societal gender processes affect how men and boys present depression and that “male-typical” symptoms of depression should be incorporated when assessing a diagnosis (Swetlitz, 2021). This literature review will cover the background and significance of MDD, how it affects young adult men, and how counselors can appropriately support this population. It will also focus on the role of other identity layers, such as culture, race, and economic status, in young adult men with MDD. In the results, one will find several critical influences behind why gender-role cultures create a bias toward men being underdiagnosed with depression. This will also cover how men suffering from this disorder can present in ways that might not be seen as a traditional diagnosis for MDD.

How to Handle Uncomfortable Thoughts

Sometimes we may find that our thoughts feel overwhelming, we get wrapped up in them, or that they may tend to dictate how our day goes. We may find that our thoughts change the ways we behave, which may lead to a cycle of negative behavior or feelings. Uncomfortable thoughts may be seen in people experiencing anxiety, depression, and a variety of other mental health concerns. It is possible to find detachment from our thoughts with the practice of cognitive defusion.

Just do it! What is Behavioral Activation to treat depression?

Behavioral Activation (BA) is a therapy skill that can be done with or without Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy highlighting how thinking, behavior, and feelings are all inter-related and directly involved with one’s mental health. BA specifically focuses on the behavior portion involved in our mental health.

Maternal Mental Health and Birth Trauma

Our very own Dr. Layne Gritti, DO was featured in a national blog published by the American Psychiatric Association discussing the impact of birth trauma on women. Refer to https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/maternal-mental-health-and-birth-trauma to read the entire blog.

Why do I keep pulling out my hair? Hint: It's called Trichotillomania

One condition that we treat regularly at Sweetgrass Psychiatry is trichotillomania. It can be debilitating and we are passionate about helping people with this relatively common condition. Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, is a mental health condition that involves recurrent, irresistible urges to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other parts of the body. It can be common for affected individuals to spend hours per day hair pulling. Treatment for trichotillomania typically includes a combination of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication.

So You Have Treatment Resistant Depression - What Do You Try Next?

Two of our favorite evidence-based treatments for depression that we offer at our Mount Pleasant, SC location are Spravato / esketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Both transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (esketamine) are FDA-approved treatments for treatment-resistant depression.