What is interventional psychiatry?

Medication management and talk therapy are cornerstones of mental health treatment, but they’re not the only options for helping people manage their symptoms. If you’ve had limited success with traditional psychiatric methods or are interested in complementary approaches, you may want to consider interventional psychiatry.

Interventional psychiatry uses various technologies to treat severe and treatment-resistant mental health disorders. Although some of these techniques have been around for several decades, like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or newer, like ketamine infusion therapy, interventional psychiatry is now considered safer and more accessible to treat a broader range of conditions.

How interventional psychiatry works

Interventional psychiatry uses procedure-based treatments that target the brain and nervous system. The goal is to identify and alter dysfunctional brain patterns that may be causing your mental health symptoms. 

Some treatment approaches used in interventional psychiatry include:

The care you need, when you need it

Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey

Subscribe

I agree to receive emails from Rula and accept the terms outlined in Client Email Consent and Privacy Policy.

1. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

ECT uses electric currents to induce brief, controlled seizures in the brain. The goal is to create changes in brain chemistry that can help improve mental health symptoms. ECT is performed under general anesthesia, and most people have the procedure two or three times per week for several weeks. 

ECT is an effective treatment for major depression, with 80% of people seeing an improvement in symptoms. It’s also used to treat bipolar disorder, catatonia, suicidal ideation.* 

2. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

With VNS, a small electrical pulse generator is implanted in the upper left chest to stimulate the vagus nerve — a major nerve that carries signals between the brain and other parts of your body. 

By sending electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, the goal is to reduce abnormal brain activity which can help improve mood and pain levels. It can take up to a year to respond to VNS, so it’s not typically recommended for treating suicidal thoughts and behaviors, which require urgent support. 

3. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. With this technique, your provider will place a cap with an electrical coil on your head to induce nerve cells associated with mood control. 

It’s a noninvasive procedure, meaning it doesn’t require surgery or anesthesia, and typically involves brief sessions four to five times per week for several weeks. TMS is considered effective for older adults with major depressive episodes, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), migraines, and smoking cessation. 

4. Ketamine infusions

Certain drugs, like ketamine, also fall under the umbrella of interventional psychiatry. Ketamine therapy can be delivered two ways: an IV infusion or through an intranasal spray. It’s considered a fast-acting treatment and can improve depressive symptoms within hours. It may also be used to treat anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar depression, OCD, and eating disorders. 

Interventional psychiatry may not be safe or effective for everyone, so it’s best to discuss your specific needs with a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. For example, TMS isn’t recommended for people with a history of seizures, head injury, or substance misuse as they have a higher risk of harmful side effects. 

*If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming themself or others, please call or text 988 on any phone for the Suicide & Crisis lifeline, contact a local crisis line, or head to the emergency room immediately. Any of these resources will ensure that the person in crisis receives support right away. For more information on getting help, go to 988lifeline.org

If experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911. 

Who should see an interventional psychiatrist

Interventional psychiatry can help people who have had limited success with traditional psychiatric methods. It may be successful for people who: 

• Have a severe or treatment-resistant condition: Interventional psychiatry can be helpful if you’re not responding to other forms of treatment. For example, you’ve tried at least two types of medication for a mental health condition but didn’t see any symptom improvement. 
• Have tried brain stimulation: If you’ve had success with brain stimulation techniques in the past, be sure to review that experience with your provider when discussing future treatment options.
• Can’t take medication: Medication isn’t an option for everyone. For example, you may struggle to tolerate certain side effects or your body may not metabolize medications as well. 
• Require urgent attention: Techniques like ketamine and ECT can help improve symptoms within hours. This may be helpful for people experiencing severe symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts.

If you’re interested in interventional psychiatry, make an appointment with your current provider or look for someone who practices interventional care. The provider will review your health history, current medications, and symptoms to identify potential treatment options. They’ll also want to rule out any conditions or risk factors that might make interventional approaches unsafe. In many cases, providers will combine interventional psychiatry with medication, talk therapy, and psychosocial therapies to deliver whole-person care.

Find care with Rula

Finding the right psychiatric treatment to support your mental health needs isn’t always easy. If you’ve had limited success with medication or talk therapy, consider speaking with a provider about interventional psychiatry. By exploring techniques like TMS and ECT, you may find a solution for managing symptoms and improving your quality of life. 

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

Find a provider with Rula