Our approach is individualised and staged, with treatment guided by your psychiatrist and adjusted according to your needs and response to previous treatments.
Throughout your treatment, the focus is on finding the most appropriate option for you, rather than progressing automatically from one treatment to another. Your psychiatrist will discuss the potential benefits, considerations and suitability of each treatment with you so that decisions about your care are made together.
Esketamine is an advanced therapy for treatment-resistant depression and is administered as a nasal spray in a carefully monitored clinical setting. It is used alongside an oral antidepressant and may be considered when other treatments have not provided sufficient improvement.
At Deakin Private Hospital, esketamine is offered as part of an individualised treatment pathway. Your psychiatrist will review your treatment history, current symptoms and overall health to determine whether esketamine may be a suitable option for you.
If esketamine is recommended, our clinical team will explain what to expect and support you throughout treatment. You will be monitored before, during and after each treatment session.
Esketamine is not suitable for everyone. Before commencing treatment, you will undergo a comprehensive psychiatric and clinical assessment to determine whether it is appropriate and safe for you.
Your psychiatrist may consider a range of factors, including treatments you have previously tried, how you responded to them, your current medications, physical health and your individual treatment goals.
Other options, such as psychological therapy or repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), may also be considered as part of your treatment plan.
Your pathway begins with an assessment by a psychiatrist at Deakin Private Hospital. Together, you will discuss your previous treatments, current symptoms and the options that may be appropriate for you.
If esketamine is recommended and you meet the relevant clinical criteria, treatment is provided in a dedicated clinical environment at Deakin Private Hospital, with nursing and medical oversight. You will be monitored following each treatment and your response will be reviewed regularly by your treating team.
Our aim is to work with you to find a treatment approach that is safe, appropriate and tailored to your individual needs.
Your safety and wellbeing are central to treatment at Deakin Private Hospital. Treatments such as esketamine are provided in a carefully monitored clinical environment, with appropriate medical and nursing oversight.
Before treatment begins, your psychiatrist will discuss what to expect, including possible side effects and any precautions relevant to you. During treatment, our team will monitor you closely and provide support throughout your care.
What if rTMS has not worked for me?
If you have not experienced enough improvement with rTMS or other treatments, your psychiatrist can discuss whether other options, including esketamine, may be appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
Is esketamine the same as ketamine?
No. Esketamine is a specific medicine used for treatment-resistant depression. At Deakin Private Hospital, it is administered under medical supervision in a monitored clinical setting as part of an individual treatment plan.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Your psychiatrist will assess your treatment history, current symptoms, medications and overall health to determine whether esketamine may be appropriate for you. If you do not currently have a psychiatrist at Deakin Private Hospital, our Admissions Team can provide information about the referral process.
Will I need to be admitted to hospital?
Not necessarily. Esketamine may be provided on an outpatient basis for eligible patients. Your psychiatrist and treating team will discuss the most appropriate pathway for your circumstances.
If depression continues to affect your life despite previous treatment, there may be other options available. Speak with your GP or psychiatrist about your treatment, or contact the Deakin Private Hospital Admissions Team to learn more about our treatment-resistant depression services and referral process.
Our team can explain the next steps and help you understand what options may be available to you.
