Clinical Insights

Introduction Treatment-resistant depression remains one of the most significant challenges in behavioral health. Patients with treatment-resistant depression experience persistent depressive symptoms despite adequate trials of conventional antidepressant medications, and/or evidence-based psychotherapies. This often results in substantial functional impairment, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of suicidality. Esketamine nasal spray (Spravato®) is an important addition to the depression treatment landscape. It is FDA approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression and can be used with or without an oral antidepressant. It is also FDA approved for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation or behavior (MDSI) when used in combination with an oral antidepressant.1 Treatment is delivered in two phases: an induction phase consisting of twice-weekly treatment for four weeks, followed by maintenance phase with treatment administered once weekly for four weeks followed by treatments every week or every other week. Esketamine has been found to produce meaningful improvement of depressive symptoms i...

Nearly 3 in 4 Gen Zers Say Fear of an Unwanted Viral Moment Affects Their Mental Health, Self- Expression and Social Participation. LifeStance Health Survey A LifeStance Health survey released today finds that the possibility of spontaneous, authentic moments going viral on social media is affecting people’s mental well-being and reshaping behavior, self-expression and participation in everyday life. LifeStance conducted the survey to understand how the fear of becoming someone else’s social media content affects mental health, influencing everything from a person’s ability to relax and be themselves in public to their willingness to attend events and engage socially. Many respondents experience weekly effects on their mood, anxiety and self-esteem. The impact is particula...

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide and is associated with high levels of impairment with daily functioning at work, school, and relationships with family and friends. While depression can be well managed with psychotherapy, medication, or both, these first-line treatments may not always provide enough relief. Despite receiving treatment, some individuals may experience little to no improvement in their symptoms or continue to experience symptoms that interfere with daily life. These patients are considered to have treatment-resistant depression. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA approved, safe, and non-invasive intervention for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. TMS is a form of brain stimulation that targets areas of the brain that help regulate mood with the goal of improving depressive symptoms. TMS is well-tolerated with most reported side effects, such as scalp discomfort and headaches, being mild and short-lived. For people who continue to experience depression despite prior treatment, TMS provides another option to help reduce depressive symptoms and help people get back to daily functioning. LifeStance is well poised to provide treatment opt...

A LifeStance Health survey of 1,000 women experiencing perimenopause or menopause reveals this life stage carries an unexpected mental health toll, as one in three women (33%) report being unaware that perimenopause can cause mental health-related symptoms. While respondents describe their anxiety (66%) and depression (54%) as somewhat or extremely severe, most women (83%) who seek mental healthcare like therapy find it helpful. Additionally, 59% of women say they would be more likely to seek mental healthcare if they knew it could significantly improve their symptoms, and nearly half (47%) agree mental healthcare should be a standard part of perimenopause care. Left unaddressed, perimenopause and menopause symptoms carry consequences not just for the women who are experiencing them, but for employers and health systems. A 2023 Mayo Clinic study found menopause symptoms cost the U.S. economy an estimated $1.8 billion annually in lost work productivity and $26.6 billion when healthcare costs are factored in, reinforcing the need for accessible, integrated mental healthcare throughout these life transitions. Dr. Stephanie Eken, Chief Medical Officer, LifeStance Health, said: “Women’s mental health needs change acr...

LifeStance patients broadly experience clinically meaningful reductions in anxiety (79%) and depression (73%) symptoms. While aggregated results can sometimes hide important differences within the larger group, LifeStance’s study amongst more than 139,000 patients with at least moderate depression or anxiety found that 75% or more improved significantly no matter their age or geographic region. A Quick Note on the Numbers Between September 2024 and December 2025, we studied 143,941 patients on the PHQ-9 and 139,798 patients on the GAD-7 that reported at least moderate depression or anxiety severity at baseline (indicated by a score of 10 or higher on the PHQ-9 or GAD-7). PHQ-9 is a 9-question instrument that measures depression. Scores range from 0 to 27. Higher scores m...

Effective treatment for depression and anxiety often combines psychotherapy and medication, helping regulate mood and improve daily functioning. Evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and medication management can lead to meaningful symptom improvement, especially when care is consistent and tailored to the individual.

Purpose of the Research LifeStance, in partnership with Researchscape International, conducted a survey to explore topics commonly addressed in therapy around the holidays, including seasonal stress, navigating social gatherings, performative happiness, loneliness and managing family discussions about politics and current events. Methodology On behalf of LifeStance Health, Researchscape International conducted an online survey of 1,023 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The survey was fielded from October 16 to 21, 2025. The credibility interval is plus or minus four percentage points for questions answered by all respondents. The data was weighted to the U.S. population by nine demographic questions....