Kansas City, Kan- Key points from today’s guests:

Becky Bowlen, living with depression

• Spravato was approved in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression. The nasal inhaler offers a 45-50 percent remission rate and a 75 percent chance of cutting symptoms in half.
• Becky shared her positive experience with the treatment, noting significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and suicidal intentions after 39 sessions.
• Becky is one of 18.5 percent of U.S. adults with depression, according to the CDC.
• She also uses other treatments like light box therapy and her support system.
• Becky has seen significant positive changes such as improved self-esteem, more positive self-talk, and feeling proud of her recovery process.
• She encourages others to seek help and to be honest with their mental health providers about their struggles.

Dr. Tyler Kjorvestad, psychiatrist; director, Comprehensive Depression Assessment and Treatment Clinic, The University of Kansas Health System

• Depression is different from major depressive disorder (MDD) based on its persistence, severity, and number of symptoms.
• MDD involves functional impairment, such as sleep and appetite changes, and can lead to suicidal thoughts and feelings of guilt and despair.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an alternative treatment for depression, which targets under-functioning areas of the brain using magnetic pulses.
• Becky used this treatment, and it was effective for a couple of months, but the benefits trailed off after that.
• The holidays can be challenging for people with depression due to seasonal changes and stress.
• Reach out to a primary care doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or crisis lines and walk-in services if depression is affecting daily functioning.
• There are resources out there to help.

Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. is the next Open Mics with Dr. Stites. Can a proven heart treatment improve your memory? It involves laying flat on your back and mechanically squeezing your legs.

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