6 Ways TMS and Spravato®® Are Changing Anxiety and Depression Care

If you’re living with anxiety and depression, you know how heavy it can feel. Some days may feel tense and restless. Other days may feel slow and hopeless. You may have tried medications, therapy or lifestyle changes and still feel like something is missing.

The good news? Mental health care has come a long way. Today, advanced options like TMS and Spravato®® are expanding what anxiety and depression treatment can look like.

Let’s walk through how these treatments are changing care and what that could mean for you.

Why traditional treatment isn’t always enough

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Millions of adults experience symptoms each year.

Anxiety may include:

• Constant worry
• Restlessness
• Muscle tension
• Panic attacks
• Trouble sleeping

Depression may include:

• Persistent sadness
• Low energy
• Loss of interest in activities
• Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
• Changes in appetite or sleep

For military families, symptoms may also connect to operational stress, deployments or trauma exposure.

If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.

Traditional anxiety and depression treatment often includes:

• Psychotherapy
• Antidepressant medications
• Lifestyle changes
• Support groups

These approaches help many people. But for others, symptoms continue despite trying multiple medications. This is often called treatment-resistant depression.

If that sounds familiar, please know this isn’t your fault. Brains are complex. Sometimes they need a different approach.

That’s why innovation matters, and where TMS and Spravato® come in.

What is TMS?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions linked to mood regulation.

During TMS:

• You remain awake.
• No anesthesia is required.
• Sessions last about 10 to 20 minutes.
• You can return to daily activities afterward.

TMS is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder and is often used when antidepressants have not provided enough relief.

What is Spravato®?

Spravato® is the brand name for esketamine, a prescription nasal spray FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression. It works differently from traditional antidepressants and acts on glutamate pathways in the brain.

Spravato® is administered in a clinical setting under medical supervision.

It may be considered when:

• Multiple antidepressants have failed.
• Depression is severe.
• Rapid symptom relief is needed.

6 ways TMS and Spravato® are changing anxiety and depression care

1. Offering hope after medication failure

One of the hardest parts of anxiety and depression is the waiting. Waiting for medication to work. Waiting to feel like yourself again. Many individuals try two or more medications without improvement.

TMS and Spravato® provide options beyond traditional antidepressants. For some, this opens the door to progress after years of frustration.

This can lead to:

• Improved sleep
• Better focus
• Increased energy
• Reduced hopelessness
• More motivation to engage in therapy

When symptoms ease, even slightly, it can create momentum. And momentum matters.

2. Targeting the brain differently

Traditional antidepressants affect serotonin and norepinephrine. TMS and Spravato® work on different brain pathways.

• TMS directly stimulates mood-related circuits.

• Spravato® influences glutamate systems linked to neural connectivity.

This difference matters for people whose symptoms didn’t improve with standard medications.

Spravato® is known for its speed. Some people begin to feel a lift in their mood within just a few hours or days. This is especially helpful for those dealing with severe symptoms or treatment-resistant depression. While TMS takes a bit longer, usually a few weeks to show full results, the benefits are often long-lasting because it physically helps the brain rewire itself for a better mood.

3. Reducing long-term medication burden

Some individuals prefer non-oral options. TMS is drug-free and doesn’t require daily medication. Spravato® is administered under supervision and may reduce the need for multiple oral antidepressants.

4. Supporting treatment-resistant depression

Treatment-resistant depression affects many adults. Veterans experience higher rates of depression compared to the general population. Both TMS and Spravato® have shown great promise in helping veterans who struggle with the fight or flight feelings of anxiety alongside their depression.

Advanced therapies expand access to care for those who need additional support. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.

5. Integrating with therapy and comprehensive care

Modern anxiety and depression treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Neither TMS nor Spravato® replaces therapy. Outcomes are strongest when treatments are combined with:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Trauma-informed care
• Medication management
• Sleep support
• Stress reduction planning

Anxiety and depression treatment works best when it addresses the whole person: mind and body.

6. Providing structured clinical monitoring

Both treatments occur in medical settings. This structure allows:

• Regular symptom tracking
• Side effect monitoring
• Adjustments to treatment plans
• Ongoing provider communication

Is TMS or Spravato® right for you?

Not everyone is a candidate. A full psychiatric evaluation is necessary.

You may want to ask about advanced anxiety and depression treatment if:

• You’ve tried multiple medications without success.
• Side effects are difficult to manage or feel overwhelming.
• Symptoms remain severe.
• Depression is interfering with work or relationships.
• You’re seeking alternatives or innovative treatments.

The first step is a conversation. You don’t have to commit to anything right away. Asking questions is part of caring for yourself. Every treatment plan should be personalized. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

A supportive word for military families

If you’re serving or have served, you may feel pressure to push through. It’s essential to remember that mental health conditions are medical conditions, not personal weaknesses.

Seeking anxiety and depression treatment is a step toward resilience, not away from it.

Support exists. And it’s designed with you in mind. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you’re tired of feeling stuck, let’s talk about a new way forward.

A new chapter in anxiety and depression care starts with Psychiatry Treatment Centers

Living with anxiety and depression can make the future feel uncertain. But treatment is evolving. Science is expanding. And more options are available than ever before.

At Psychiatry Treatment Centers, we offer advanced anxiety and depression treatment options, including TMS and Spravato®. Our team works closely with VA clinics and supports individuals from all walks of life, including our military service members and their families.

With locations in California and Georgia, including our Hinesville, GA location near Fort Stewart, we understand the unique needs of military communities. We provide compassionate psychiatric evaluations, medication management and innovative therapies in a welcoming environment.

Whether you’re in the heart of Georgia or on the California coast, we’re here to help you put down those heavy stones and start feeling like yourself again.

Reach out to our team by phone today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment. You can also book your initial appointment online now.