Treatment-Resistant Depression

About Treatment-Resistant Depression

Depression doesn't always respond to the first medication or even the second. If you've tried two or more antidepressants at adequate doses for an adequate amount of time and you're still not feeling better, that's called treatment-resistant depression, or TRD. It affects roughly one in three people being treated for major depressive disorder.

Treatment-resistant depression is not a personal failing. It doesn't mean therapy isn't working or that you're not trying hard enough. It means your brain chemistry needs a different approach, and there are options specifically designed for that.

At Make Your Turn, we specialize in helping people who've been stuck. Our psychiatric providers have experience with advanced treatment strategies for depression that hasn't responded to standard medication, including alternative medication approaches, combination therapies, and newer FDA-approved treatments that work through different brain pathways than traditional antidepressants.

Signs Your Depression May Be Treatment-Resistant

You might be dealing with treatment-resistant depression if:

• You've taken two or more antidepressants at the right dose for the right amount of time, and your symptoms haven't improved enough
• Your depression improved initially on medication but then came back despite continuing treatment
• Side effects have prevented you from staying on medication long enough for it to work
• You feel like you've "tried everything" and nothing has made a lasting difference

If any of this sounds familiar, it's worth talking to a psychiatric provider who has experience with treatment-resistant cases. There are more options than you might realize.

How We Approach Treatment-Resistant Depression

Our approach starts with a thorough evaluation. We review your medication history, current symptoms, any co-occurring conditions, and what's been tried before. Sometimes the issue isn't that depression is truly resistant. It could be an incorrect diagnosis, an inadequate dose, a drug interaction, or an untreated condition like thyroid disease or ADHD that's making depression harder to treat.

Once we have a clear picture, we build a plan. That might include:

Medication optimization. Sometimes the answer is adjusting what you're already on, trying a different class of antidepressant, or combining medications strategically. Our prescribers are experienced in augmentation strategies (adding a second medication to boost the effect of the first) and switching protocols.

Combination therapy. Research consistently shows that therapy and medication together are more effective than either alone, especially for harder-to-treat depression. We offer both under the same roof, so your therapist and prescriber can coordinate directly.

Advanced treatment options. For patients who qualify, we offer FDA-approved treatments that work through different brain pathways than traditional antidepressants. These newer options can provide relief when standard medications haven't, sometimes within days rather than weeks.

Ongoing monitoring. Treatment-resistant depression requires closer follow-up than routine depression management. We track your progress carefully and adjust the plan as needed. You won't be left waiting months between appointments wondering if something is working.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first visit will be a comprehensive evaluation. We'll talk about your depression history, what medications you've tried (doses, duration, and why they were stopped), your current symptoms, and your overall health. Bring a list of current and past medications if you can.

We'll also screen for conditions that can look like or worsen depression, such as anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, thyroid problems, or sleep disorders. Getting the diagnosis right is the foundation of effective treatment.

By the end of your first appointment, you'll have a clear picture of where things stand and a plan for what to try next. We don't believe in guesswork, and we don't believe in giving up.

Who Provides This Care

Treatment-resistant depression is managed by our psychiatric providers (prescribers), often in coordination with a therapist. Our prescribers have experience evaluating complex medication histories and building individualized plans for people who haven't responded to standard treatment.

We also work closely with your existing providers. If you have a primary care doctor, therapist, or other specialist involved in your care, we're happy to coordinate.

Insurance and Cost

Most major insurance plans cover psychiatric evaluation and medication management for treatment-resistant depression, including Aetna, Anthem, BCBS, Blue Care Network, BCBS Michigan, Blue Cross Complete, Buckeye, Humana Medicaid, Medical Mutual, OhioRISE, Optum, Paramount, Surest, TriCare East, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, and Medicare.

Self-pay is also available. We'll talk through costs upfront so there are no surprises.

Getting Started

If antidepressants haven't worked for you, don't settle for feeling stuck. Treatment-resistant depression is a recognized condition with real treatment options, and our team has experience helping people through it.

Request an appointment or call us at (419) 210-3660 (Ohio) or (734) 344-7432 (Michigan).