Interventional Psychiatry

New Options for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

Many people with depression and other mental health disorders find relief from antidepressants and psychotherapy. But for some people, standard treatments aren’t enough. At UMass Memorial Health, we offer advanced, evidence-based interventions for difficult-to-treat conditions so you can regain your life and look toward the future.

What Is Interventional Psychiatry?

Interventional psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry that uses specialized procedures and other medical treatments to manage depression and other mood disorders. These interventions directly target neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the regions of your brain that regulate mood and emotion. They can quickly improve symptoms and, over time, rewire and repair neural pathways in your brain, enhancing a normal process called neuroplasticity. When your brain works better, you feel better.

We may use interventional psychiatry to treat: 

• Major depression, including treatment-resistant depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Schizophrenia 
• Bipolar disorder
• Catatonic behavior
• Suicidal thoughts

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call 800-273-8255 or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also visit the nearest emergency room.

Types of Interventional Psychiatry Treatments We Offer

The interventional psychiatry experts at UMass Memorial are at the forefront of this field. We bring the latest FDA-approved treatments to our patients and tailor care to their unique needs.

Interventional psychiatry methods we offer include: 

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), once known as “shock therapy"
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy
• Esketamine nasal spray

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

ECT is a highly effective, safe procedure that sends mild electrical currents through your brain while you’re under general anesthesia. The current causes a brief, controlled seizure. It stimulates regions of your brain that regulate mood and emotion. Most people receive ECT several times a week for up to 12 treatments. This treatment often resolves depression symptoms faster than traditional treatments such as antidepressants and talk therapy.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy

TMS therapy is a painless, noninvasive treatment that delivers magnetic pulses to your brain. The pulses “wake up” underactive nerve cells and improve neural activity. You’re awake during treatment and don’t need anesthesia. Most people get TMS five times a week for seven weeks. After TMS, you can immediately resume daily activities such as driving, working or studying.

Esketamine Nasal Spray

Esketamine nasal spray is a prescription medication made from the drug ketamine, an anesthetic for pain. This innovative new treatment offers rapid relief from symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. Patients safely self-administer esketamine in our clinic under the close supervision of our medical staff. Although typically a long-term treatment, esketamine works quickly, with some patients feeling better within several days to two weeks.