Treatment-Resistant Depression
At UMMC, we provide alternative care options to patients whose depression is resistant to typical treatments.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression that hasn't responded to medication or therapy, you are not alone. Up to one-third of people with depression do not respond well to usual treatments. This kind of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) needs specialized care.
University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Advanced Depression Treatment Center (ADepT) helps adults (age 18 or older) and their families manage these challenging cases.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
TRD is depression that doesn't significantly improve after at least two trials of standard treatments, such as medication or psychotherapy. It can significantly impact your daily life and relationships.
Why Choose Us
Located in the Walter P. Carter Center in downtown Baltimore, the ADepT program offers advanced treatment options that are not always available from other mental health care providers, such as esketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
If you are currently working with a health care provider to treat your depression but it hasn't improved, talk to your provider about a referral to the ADepT Center. Or, you can call 410-328-8415 to schedule a consultation.
The goal is to help you tackle TRD with the latest treatment options. We want to set you up for success so that you can return to your current provider, or a new one, as you start down the road to recovery.
Depression Treatment: Advanced Care Tailored to You
Recovery from difficult-to-treat depression can be slow, but sustained efforts can be effective. The ADepT program takes a thorough approach, offering:
- Expert evaluation and personalized treatment – Depression specialists conduct a thorough evaluation to understand your unique situation and develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
- Advanced medication management – We offer a range of TRD medications, including access to breakthrough treatments such as nasal spray esketamine, which work through mechanisms different than traditional antidepressants.
- Brain stimulation therapies – When appropriate, we may offer TMS and ECT as part of your TRD care plan. Both therapies have shown promise for severe depression unresponsive to other methods. TMS uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions, while ECT uses controlled electrical currents for a similar effect.
- Specialized therapy – Our therapists work with you individually or in groups to help you develop coping mechanisms, improve your overall well-being and manage symptoms effectively.
- Education and support – We provide educational sessions and support groups for you and your family to foster an understanding of your condition and help build a strong support system.