Montana winters can be long and challenging. The cold, dark days can make anyone feel drained and disconnected. While the beauty of our state, from Billings to Bozeman, is undeniable, it’s understandable that winter’s extended gloom can affect your mood and mental health. But now, with the arrival of spring, there’s a reason to feel hopeful! The days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter, and with it, you have an opportunity to refresh your mental health.
If you’ve been feeling down, anxious, or unmotivated, spring is the perfect time to focus on your mental well-being and explore the options for support available in our local communities. Whether you’re in Billings, Bozeman, or somewhere in between, help is here for you.
The Science of Sunshine: How Longer Days Boost Mental Health
Have you ever noticed how much better you feel on a sunny day? There’s a lot of science behind that feeling. When you step outside into the sunshine, your body begins to produce serotonin, a chemical in your brain that helps regulate your mood and energy.
Serotonin plays a crucial role in boosting happiness and motivation. During the winter months when sunlight is limited, serotonin levels can drop, making some people feel sluggish or depressed.
Sunlight and Mental Health
When the days get longer and brighter in the spring, serotonin levels naturally increase, giving you a natural boost in mood. Longer days also help reset your circadian rhythm, which regulates your sleep-wake cycle. By soaking up the sunlight, your body gets the signal that it’s time to be more active, energized, and motivated.
Vitamin D and Your Brain
Another key benefit of sunlight is its ability to trigger the production of vitamin D, which plays an important role in regulating mood. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to depression and other mood disorders. Montana’s long winters often lead to low vitamin D levels, but with the arrival of spring, there’s an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the sun. Even just a short walk outside can be enough to make a difference!
Spring in Montana: A Time for Renewal
While we all know how stunning Montana is, the transition from winter to spring can be tough. Even though the state offers unparalleled beauty, depression and anxiety can still affect anyone, regardless of how picturesque the surroundings are. That’s why spring is the perfect time to focus on your mental health—there’s support available right here in our communities.
Your Path to Mental Wellness: Options for Support in Billings & Bozeman
If the winter months have left you feeling down or disconnected, or if you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, there are several treatment options available to help you get back on track.
1. TMS Therapy: A Non-Medication Treatment for Depression
If you’ve been struggling with depression and haven’t had success with medication or want to explore a non-invasive treatment, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) might be an option for you. TMS uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. This FDA-approved treatment has been proven to help individuals with depression, and it doesn’t involve medication or significant side effects.
2. IV Ketamine Therapy: Rapid Relief for Depression
For individuals with treatment-resistant depression, IV ketamine therapy offers a powerful alternative. Ketamine is a fast-acting medication that has been shown to provide quick relief for people struggling with severe depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. By directly affecting the brain’s neural pathways, IV ketamine can create immediate improvement in mood and mental clarity. It’s a promising option for those who haven’t found relief with traditional treatments.
3. Spravato: A Medication-Free Option for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Spravato (esketamine) is a newer treatment that works similarly to ketamine but in a nasal spray form. It works by rapidly targeting and modulating brain chemistry, specifically the glutamate system, which plays a key role in mood regulation. Spravato helps restore balance in the brain’s neurotransmitters, leading to quick improvements in mood and a reduction in depressive symptoms. It’s administered under medical supervision to ensure safety, and it can provide relief for individuals who have struggled with depression for a long time.
Meet Our Team: You’re in Good Hands
If you’re exploring treatment options like TMS therapy, IV ketamine, or Spravato, you’ll be working with a team of compassionate professionals who are dedicated to your mental health. Dr. Erin Amato, our Medical Director, is a trusted leader in the field and serves as the Vice President and Board Member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners (ASKP3). Her expertise and commitment to innovative, effective treatments make her a top choice for those seeking care in the Billings and Bozeman areas.
You can rest assured that with Dr. Amato and our team, you’re receiving the best care possible. We’re here to help guide you toward the treatment that’s right for you, whether you need medication, TMS, ketamine therapy, or a combination of options.
Small Steps for Spring: How You Can Start Feeling Better
Spring is the perfect time to make a change in how you approach your mental health. Along with exploring professional treatment options, here are a few simple steps you can take to support your mental well-being this season:
Get outside every day – Even a short walk in the sun can help improve your mood and energy levels.
Maintain a consistent sleep schedule – With longer days, your body may need some time to adjust. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
Stay active – Physical activity releases endorphins, which can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
TMS
by Deb (age 64)
Category: generalThe hoops I jumped through in order to be evaluated were straightforward and efficient. I met with PA Kaitlin for about an hour to discuss my history and previous medications. Then Dr. Amato joined us to further discuss my history, the TMS treatment, and answer any questions. Myrna gathered all of the information and submitted it to my health insurance company to request coverage for TMS. Fortunately, insurance approved the treatment and I was able to begin the next week. I’m sure most people have anxiety about starting a treatment like TMS. No matter how many times it’s described to you, there are many unknowns. How will I feel during treatment? Is it painful? What if this doesn’t work? What if it works for a while but then stops? In all honesty, I was very uncomfortable during the first couple of weeks of treatment. The alternating two seconds of tapping sensation caused some pain during treatment, and at the end of the first week I thought about quitting. But I had sworn to myself that TMS was a last resort and I HAD TO complete the treatment and give it a chance to work. My technician, Heather, told me that some people don’t feel the tapping at all, they only hear it. Guess I wasn’t one of those people! But as the days went by, it became easier to tolerate the treatments. During this time I also saw Lauren weekly for CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). This is highly recommended for people undergoing TMS treatment, and it was a positive complement to my total of 100 minutes each week “under the helmet”. The weekend between weeks three and four, I started to notice subtle improvements in my mood, increased belief in my self-worth, and enthusiasm for simple things like going for walks, meeting friends for lunch, and taking on volunteer work in the community. I hesitated at first to believe that TMS was helping me. I was afraid that I was convincing myself it was working because I so desperately wanted it to! But now that I am past the treatment I can say with cert
TMS
by Barbie (age 68)
Category: generalI feel so blessed to participate in the TMS protocol at MT Psychiatry. After struggling so many years with depression and not getting significant results from medication, particularly of late, I noticed positive results in the first two weeks of treatment. TMS can literally give you back the beauty & joy in living as well as the courage to make positive life changes and improvements in your daily living situation. I heartily encourage anyone to put yourself into the hands of the amazing TMS team who so gently and graciously make this journey with you out of the black hole that is depression. It is my honor and privilege to give the TMS treatment the highest recommendation.
TMS
by Shayne (age 66)
Category: generalI am grateful for the support and caring I have received from Dr. Amato (and Heidi, Heather and Myrna) in my quest for mental health and a fuller more productive life. While the TMS results have been subtle, I feel more positive about my future and I would recommend this team absolutely. Thank you!
TMS
by Carrie (age 65)
Category: generalNot realizing how fuzzy my head was, I thought I was only going through severe anxiety and depression. Through the insight of Pat, I was able to go through TMS treatments which brought down the anxiety and depression immensely and has cleared up the fuzzy, far off substantially. All the personnel treated me with kindness and I’m sure their attitudes helped in my recovery.
TMS
by Bridget (age 47)
Category: generalThe first outcome of TMS I noted happened early in my treatment, at about the beginning of week two. I felt as though my “brain fog” had been chipped away. I wish I could report that I feel my mental health issues are in “remission”, but I can’t do so yet. My hope is that I will see improvement in the weeks to come, now that my TMS cycle has ended. I can say that my brain feels – in some way – different; I can’t explain exactly how. I continue to struggle at this point in time but sill have hope for more improvement.
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