(BPT) - The winter season can be a challenging time of year for many - one that can bring post-holiday financial stress and exhaustion. Amid darker, colder days, how do you know if you are experiencing the 'winter blues' or if it is something more serious?
Hear from three mental health experts on the differences between the 'winter blues' and clinical depression: Board-Certified Psychiatrist Chet Robachinski, MD, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Tina Matthews Hayes, DNP(c), FMP-C, PHMNP-BC, and Board-Certified Physician Assistant Kami Harris, PA-C.
How do people know if the winter months have them feeling down or if it's something more serious?
Tina Matthews Hayes, DNP: Someone experiencing the 'winter blues' has many of the same symptoms of clinical depression or major depressive disorder (MDD). They may lose interest in their hobbies and things that once brought them joy, experience changes in their sleep, appetite or weight, feel an inability to get things done like they normally could, have a constant feeling of fatigue or a lack of energy.1
While this can be mistaken for clinical depression, 'winter blues' symptoms are usually triggered at the onset of the winter season and potentially resolved once spring arrives. Another key difference between 'winter blues' and clinical depression is the severity of the symptoms.
What I tell my patients is that if they are noticing any of these signs and symptoms, it is crucial to seek help from their healthcare provider to determine if what they are experiencing is more serious, like clinical depression.
Can someone living with clinical depression also experience the 'winter blues'?
Kami Harris, PA-C: The quick and simple answer is yes. 'Winter blues' and MDD can be worsened by one another. That is why it is imperative for people to take note of when their symptoms began and to consult with their healthcare providers to determine if what they are experiencing is more than just 'feeling down' or the 'winter blues.' The good news is, if it is something more serious like MDD or some form of depression that is more challenging to treat, there are a variety of available treatment options to help those who are struggling.
What is treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and what treatment options are available?
Chet Robachinski, MD: Like Kami shared, there are different forms of clinical depression, some of which can be more challenging to treat compared to others. We call a form of clinical depression that occurs when someone has not responded adequately to two or more antidepressant medications during the same depressive episode treatment-resistant depression (TRD).2 With each medication taking weeks and sometimes months to provide potential relief, this pattern of starting over with a new medication only to find that the treatment does not work for them can be extremely frustrating.
For people living with TRD, one treatment option I've seen success with in my clinical practice is SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray taken in combination with an oral antidepressant.
Of course, as with any medication, SPRAVATO® has risks and benefits with some of the most serious side effects of this treatment including sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time (dissociation), breathing problems (respiratory depression and respiratory arrest), the risk of abuse and misuse, and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Additionally, each patient must be enrolled in the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program to track any serious side effects they may experience, and follow the necessary administration and dosing requirements under the observation of their healthcare provider, which include going into a certified treatment center for each treatment session.
Please see the Important Safety Information, including BOXED WARNINGS, and a list of side effects below. Click here to access the full prescribing information and medication guide.
What advice do you have for people looking to help manage their mental health during the winter?
Tina Matthews Hayes, NP: During the winter months, have a safe space where you can feel vulnerable and honest about what you are going through - not everyone continues to feel 'holly jolly' once the holiday season has come to a close. You should seek help if you need it. I would recommend you keep a journal with you and make note of how you're feeling before your appointment, and be open and transparent with your healthcare team, whether that's your psychiatrist, therapist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
Chet Robachinski, MD: There are many resources available for those who may be struggling. In particular, advocacy organizations such as National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA) have information on their websites, including tools for mental health screening and finding a treatment center or therapist. But it's important to note that if you're in crisis, please call, text or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to connect with a mental health counselor.
Kami Harris, PA-C: With shorter and colder days, winter can be a difficult time to say the least. So, keep a pulse on how you're feeling and be honest with yourself. Give yourself the freedom and grace to take needed breaks and reach out to loved ones for help.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray?
SPRAVATO® is a prescription medicine, used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth to treat:
- Adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions
SPRAVATO® is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic). It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe or effective as an anesthetic medicine.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective for use in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal thoughts or actions. SPRAVATO® is not for use in place of hospitalization if your healthcare provider determines that hospitalization is needed, even if improvement is experienced after the first dose of SPRAVATO®.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including:
- Sedation and dissociation. SPRAVATO® may cause sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time (dissociation).
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel like you cannot stay awake or if you feel like you are going to pass out.
- Your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking SPRAVATO®. Your healthcare provider will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
- Respiratory depression was observed with the use of SPRAVATO®; additionally, there were rare reports of respiratory arrest.
- Your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours (including pulse oximetry) after taking SPRAVATO®. Your healthcare provider will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
- Abuse and misuse. There is a risk for abuse and physical and psychological dependence with SPRAVATO® treatment. Your healthcare provider should check you for signs of abuse and dependence before and during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
- Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
- Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical and psychological dependence and drug addiction.
- SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Because of the risks for sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and abuse and misuse, SPRAVATO® is only available through a restricted program called the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. SPRAVATO® can only be administered at healthcare settings certified in the SPRAVATO® REMS Program. Patients treated in outpatient healthcare settings (e.g., medical offices and clinics) must be enrolled in the program.
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed.
SPRAVATO® is not for use in children.- Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) depression or a history of suicidal thoughts or actions.
- How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?
- Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
- Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you or your family member have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
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Do not take SPRAVATO® if you:
- have blood vessel (aneurysmal vascular) disease (including in the brain, chest, abdominal aorta, arms and legs)
- have an abnormal connection between your veins and arteries (arteriovenous malformation)
- have a history of bleeding in the brain
- are allergic to esketamine, ketamine, or any of the other ingredients in SPRAVATO®.
If you are not sure if you have any of the above conditions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking SPRAVATO®.
Before you take SPRAVATO®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have heart or brain problems, including:
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- slow or fast heartbeats that cause shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, or fainting
- history of heart attack
- history of stroke
- heart valve disease or heart failure
- history of brain injury or any condition where there is increased pressure in the brain
- have liver problems
- have ever had a condition called 'psychosis' (see, feel, or hear things that are not there, or believe in things that are not true).
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. SPRAVATO® may harm your baby. You should not take SPRAVATO® if you are pregnant.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
- If you are able to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about methods to prevent pregnancy during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
- There is a pregnancy registry for women who are exposed to SPRAVATO® during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of women exposed to SPRAVATO® and their baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Taking SPRAVATO® with certain medicine may cause side effects.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take central nervous system (CNS) depressants, psychostimulants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) medicines. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How will I take SPRAVATO®?
- You will take SPRAVATO® nasal spray yourself, under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a healthcare setting. Your healthcare provider will show you how to use the SPRAVATO® nasal spray device.
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how much SPRAVATO® you will take and when you will take it.
- Follow your SPRAVATO® treatment schedule exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
- During and after each use of the SPRAVATO® nasal spray device, you will be checked by a healthcare provider who will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
- You will need to plan for a caregiver or family member to drive you home after taking SPRAVATO®.
- If you miss a SPRAVATO® treatment, your healthcare provider may change your dose and treatment schedule.
- Some people taking SPRAVATO® get nausea and vomiting. You should not eat for at least 2 hours before taking SPRAVATO® and not drink liquids at least 30 minutes before taking SPRAVATO®.
- If you take a nasal corticosteroid or nasal decongestant medicine take these medicines at least 1 hour before taking SPRAVATO®.
What should I avoid while taking SPRAVATO®?
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not take part in these activities until the next day following a restful sleep. See 'What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?'
What are the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® may cause serious side effects including:
- See 'What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?'
- Increased blood pressure. SPRAVATO® can cause a temporary increase in your blood pressure that may last for about 4 hours after taking a dose. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before taking SPRAVATO® and for at least 2 hours after you take SPRAVATO®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, change in vision, or seizures after taking SPRAVATO®.
- Problems with thinking clearly. Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems thinking or remembering.
- Bladder problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop trouble urinating, such as a frequent or urgent need to urinate, pain when urinating, or urinating frequently at night.
The most common side effects of SPRAVATO® when used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth include:
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If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for SPRAVATO® and discuss any questions you may have with your healthcare provider.
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This information is intended for the use of patients and caregivers in the United States and its territories only. Laws, regulatory requirements and medical practices in pharmaceutical products vary from country to country. The Prescribing Information included here may not be appropriate for use outside the United States and its territories.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. Major depression. Accessed November 21, 2023. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Definition of treatment-resistant depression in the Medicare population. Accessed November 21, 2023. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coverage/DeterminationProcess/downlo ads/id105TA.pdf. Published February 9, 2018
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