A New Option for Patients with Anxiety and Depression
Up to two-thirds of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) also experience clinically significant anxiety. This “anxious depression” often brings more severe symptoms, greater functional impairment, and slower responses to standard medications. That’s why more Floridians are searching for Esketamine for anxiety, Spravato anxiety treatment in Tampa, and Wesley Chapel esketamine clinics that can help when SSRIs and SNRIs haven’t.
Why Anxiety Makes Depression Harder to Treat
- Higher illness severity and chronicity
- Greater risk of suicidal thoughts/behaviors
- Lower response and remission with monoaminergic antidepressants
- Longer time to improvement with standard care
These factors explain why patients seek rapid-acting anxiety treatment in Florida that can help both mood and anxiety symptoms.
Who may benefit
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) after ≥2 antidepressant trials
- MDD with prominent anxiety (e.g., GAD-7 ≥10) or comorbid anxiety disorders
- Adults needing faster relief than traditional options provide
How Esketamine Helps Anxiety + Depression
Esketamine (Spravato®) is the S-enantiomer of ketamine delivered as a nasal spray under medical supervision. Unlike SSRIs or SNRIs, esketamine targets the brain’s glutamate system (the NMDA receptor ) to rapidly enhance neuroplasticity and rebalance circuits that regulate both mood and anxiety. Many patients report meaningful improvement in hours to days, not weeks.
Benefits patients notice
- Quicker easing of psychic tension and worry
- Improved motivation and emotional resilience
- Better engagement with psychotherapy and daily routines
Esketamine is administered in-clinic and paired with an oral antidepressant per FDA labeling.
Clinical Evidence in Patients with Anxiety
A post-hoc analysis of the TRANSFORM-2 randomized trial (Daly et al., Depression & Anxiety , 2021) examined outcomes in adults with TRD with and without comorbid anxiety (defined by GAD-7 ≥10 and/or MINI diagnosis). About 72% of participants had comorbid anxiety.
- At 4 weeks, esketamine + antidepressant significantly reduced depression severity vs antidepressant + placebo regardless of anxiety status.
- Mean MADRS change at day 28: −21.0(with anxiety) and −22.7(without anxiety) in the esketamine group.
- Treatment advantage (least-squares mean difference) remained significant whether anxiety was present or not.
- Response and remission rates were higher with esketamine even in anxious patients.
Common, transient effects include dizziness, brief dissociation, nausea, and temporary increases in blood pressure; these typically resolve within 1–2 hours under supervision.
What to Expect at Florida TMS Clinic
- Private treatment suite and continuous monitoring
- Self-administered Spravato® nasal spray under clinician supervision
- Each visit is ~ 2 hours including observation and recovery
- Typical schedule: twice weekly during the acute phase, then taper
- No driving until the next day after each session
Safety & REMS
We’re a certified Spravato® center following all FDA REMS requirements. Vital signs and comfort are monitored throughout. If you are in an immediate crisis, call 988(Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911.
Esketamine for Anxiety in Tampa & Wesley Chapel
Florida TMS Clinic — Tampa
Serving Tampa, South Tampa, Downtown, and Westshore. Same-week evaluations often available.
Florida TMS Clinic — Wesley Chapel
Serving Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, and Land O’ Lakes with convenient access and parking.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
If medications haven’t helped, Esketamine anxiety treatment in Tampa and Wesley Chapel may provide the rapid relief you’ve been seeking. We’ll personalize your plan, which can include Spravato®, TMS, and psychotherapy when appropriate.
Esketamine & Anxiety — FAQs
- Does esketamine treat anxiety directly?
- Esketamine is approved for treatment-resistant depression and for MDD with suicidal thoughts or behavior. Many patients with prominent anxiety experience relief as depressive symptoms improve via glutamatergic modulation.
- How fast will I feel better?
- Some patients notice benefits within hours to days. Most improvements build over the first 2–4 weeks, alongside the oral antidepressant.
- Is Spravato® covered by insurance for anxious depression?
- Coverage depends on your plan and documented criteria for TRD or MDD with suicidality. Our team verifies benefits and assists with prior authorization.
- What are common side effects?
- Transient dizziness, brief dissociation, nausea, and temporary blood pressure increases. These are monitored and usually resolve within 1–2 hours.
- Can I drive after treatment?
- No. Arrange a safe ride home and avoid driving until the next day.
References: Daly EJ et al., Depression & Anxiety , 2021; Popova V et al., Am J Psychiatry , 2019; Spravato® Prescribing Information.
