Depression may have underlying causes that science has yet to fully uncover, which could explain why antidepressant medications don’t work the same way for everyone. Many people find themselves struggling after turning to antidepressants for relief, only to discover that the medication does little to ease what they’re going through.
If any of this sounds familiar, know that you are far from alone. Research consistently shows that a significant number of people living with depression see little to no improvement even after trying antidepressants with some studies suggesting that anywhere from one in ten to nearly one in three patients experience no meaningful relief at all. Even more striking, larger real-world studies indicate that the majority of people do not find the results they hoped for from their very first antidepressant. Many others find themselves somewhere in the middle not completely without relief, but not fully better either, experiencing only modest or partial improvement in their symptoms.
The primary goal of antidepressant medication is to bring depression symptoms into remission essentially, to eliminate them altogether. These medications typically need anywhere from two to twelve weeks before their effects become noticeable. Unfortunately, that improvement doesn’t always come. Here are some warning signs that your antidepressant may not be doing its job:
Intolerable Side Effects: The “cure” feels worse than the condition. You might experience physical exhaustion paired with insomnia, or the medication itself may cause intense, unpredictable mood swings.
The “Plateau” Effect: You’ve been consistent for months, but your mood hasn’t budged. You feel exactly as you did before starting the treatment.
Worsening Symptoms: Instead of stabilizing, you feel yourself slipping further. Irritability, edge, and the “heavy” feeling in the morning are becoming more frequent.
Incomplete Recovery: You’ve regained the physical energy to move, but the emotional “gray” remains. This creates a frustrating gap where you are physically capable but still feel empty or sad.
The Biological Barrier: Traditional antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs) target serotonin and norepinephrine, which can take weeks to work. If these pathways aren’t the root cause of your depression, you may need a treatment like Ketamine that targets glutamate to repair neural connections and promote neuroplasticity.
Below are signs of depression that your current antidepressant may not be fully addressing. These can persist or worsen even while on medication:
To know more about depression and cure
If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or feel you may act on them, seek immediate support by contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) refers to depression that does not improve despite treatment with standard antidepressant medications, sometimes called treatment-refractory depression. In many cases, individuals try two or more antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) without experiencing meaningful relief.
Put simply, if you’ve gone through multiple antidepressant trials at appropriate doses and duration and still see little to no improvement, your condition may fall under Treatment-Resistant Depression. This can be frustrating and discouraging, especially when you’re actively seeking help but not getting the results you expect.
TRD doesn’t mean your depression is untreatable it means a different approach may be needed, whether that involves adjusting medications, combining therapies, or exploring alternative treatments under professional guidance.
Standard antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs) work by increasing serotonin or norepinephrine levels, which can take weeks to affect mood. ketamine targets glutamate, the brain’s most abundant neurotransmitter. This triggers neuroplasticityessentially “rewiring” the brain by repairing damaged neural connections and forming new synapses.
See related article: The benefits of ketamine therapy for depression
Ketamine therapy has been widely studied as an option for individuals with Treatment-Resistant Depression, with many clinical trials showing response rates ranging from 50% to 70%. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which may take weeks to show effects, ketamine has been observed to produce noticeable improvements in mood within hours to days for some patients.
A clinical study published in 2022 reported that a significant number of participants experienced improvements in both depression and anxiety symptoms, with many showing a meaningful reduction in overall symptom severity. While results can vary, these findings support ketamine’s potential as an alternative approach when standard treatments have not been effective.
Researchers at Yale Medicine have explored the use of low, subanesthetic doses of ketamine administered intravenously in controlled clinical settings. Their findings indicate that a substantial portion of patients with severe depression experienced a rapid reduction in symptoms, sometimes within 24 hours, even after failing to respond to conventional antidepressants.
A commonly used treatment protocol involves a series of six sessions administered over the course of two to three weeks. After completing the initial series, some patients may benefit from periodic booster sessions to help maintain results. While the number of sessions is often consistent, the method of administration can differ depending on the provider. Check our process
Ketamine may be delivered through intramuscular injection, intravenous infusion, or as a nasal spray such as Spravato, which is an FDA-approved form of esketamine. In some cases,
IV Ketamine: Offers 100% bioavailability and typically induces a deeper state of “dissociation” (a feeling of being detached from one’s body), which some clinicians believe helps process trauma.
Esketamine (Spravato): This is the only FDA-approved version for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), meaning it is the most likely to be covered by insurance.
Ketamine therapy offers a promising alternative for the 10–30% of people with treatment-resistant depression who do not respond to traditional antidepressants. Unlike standard medications that can take weeks to work, ketamine can provide relief within hours by targeting different pathways in the brain. With a typical success rate of 50–70%, it serves as a fast-acting option for those seeking remission when other treatments have failed.
Ketamine treatment is available at our two Connecticut locations:
232 Boston Post Rd Suite 13, Milford, CT 06460
1720 Post Rd E Suite 222, Westport, CT 06880
Treatments are strictly supervised by a board-certified physician, Dr. Gino Ang. Ketamine is prescribed only for adults with major depressive disorder who have not responded adequately to at least two different antidepressants. All treatment sessions are conducted in a controlled clinical environment, and Ketamine is administered under the physician’s direct supervision.
Patients must follow strict protocols:
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression and want to explore ketamine treatment, please contact us to schedule a consultation at our Milford or Westport clinic. All care is personalized to ensure safety, efficacy, and adherence to clinical guidelines.
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