Supporting a Loved One Through Spravato® Treatment

If your loved one is about to start SPRAVATO® (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression, you likely feel a mix of hope and worry and have a bunch of practical questions. That’s normal. Depression affects the whole household, and so does treatment.

At Hudson Specialty Care Spravato, we specialize in providing SPRAVATO® in a safe, supportive setting. Your role as a partner, parent, sibling, or close friend can make treatment days easier and recovery steadier.

Here are a few pointers to help you help them.

Educate yourself 

You don’t need a medical degree. You just need a clear picture of what SPRAVATO® is and what treatment looks like.

SPRAVATO® is a prescription nasal spray containing esketamine used for certain forms of depression, including treatment-resistant depression. It’s taken under medical supervision, and our care team monitors patients afterward for safety.

A few things to keep in mind:

• We monitor the patient for at least two hours after treatment
• They need a ride home and shouldn’t drive until the next day
• Side effects can include dissociation, nausea, and temporary blood pressure increases

Afterward, ask them what they prefer: a quiet ride home, a quick bite, a nap, or simply space.

How you can help on treatment days

Before the appointment, you can help with a few practical details, such as ensuring that your loved one wears comfortable clothes, has transportation, refrains from eating for two hours and from liquids for 30 minutes beforehand, and plans to rest afterward.

What support can look like on treatment days

Treatment days go more smoothly with some thought ahead of time. Often, the most helpful thing is taking care of the small details so your loved one doesn’t have to.

That might mean confirming the ride to and from the appointment or helping with any paperwork. It also helps to keep the rest of the day simple. Try not to stack errands, have intense conversations, or plan social commitments right afterward. 

Most people feel better when the day stays calm and predictable.

Your presence matters — but it doesn’t need to be big or dramatic. A steady, reassuring tone goes a long way. Sometimes a simple “I’m here” or “We’ll take this one step at a time” is more comforting than trying to say the perfect thing.

After treatment, it’s normal for your loved one to feel out of sorts. Don’t analyze how the session went. Helping them get home safely, settle in, and take it easy is more than enough.

Supporting progress without taking over

Spravato® treatment isn’t a quick fix, and progress doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. More often, it’s subtle. You might notice slightly better mornings, fewer heavy moments, or a bit more energy where there wasn’t any before.

Between sessions, your role shifts, and your support becomes less about logistics and more about connection. Instead of asking broad questions like, “How are you doing?” — which can feel overwhelming — try something more specific. 

Asking whether they want company or quiet, what felt hardest that week, or what helped even a little opens the door to honest conversation without pressure.

Daily routines often get out of whack during depression, so nudging your loved one back to their healthy habits is a great way to help. Eating regular meals, keeping a steady sleep schedule, gently exercising, and attending therapy or follow-up visits all support recovery. 

You don’t have to police these habits — just quietly encourage them. If your loved one already has a therapist or psychiatric provider, we can coordinate care.

Knowing when to speak up

While you can expect ups and downs, there are times when extra support is needed. If your loved one starts talking of hopelessness or has sudden changes in behavior, trust your instincts and reach out to the care team right away. 

And if you ever believe your loved one is in immediate danger, contact emergency services. Support resources such as the SAMHSA National Helpline are also available 24/7.

Remember to care for yourself

Supporting someone through depression treatment can wear you down. That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong — it means you’re human.

You’re more helpful when you’re rested, grounded, and supported yourself. That might look like getting enough sleep, stepping away when you need a break, talking things through with someone you trust, or holding on to one small routine that brings you joy.

If your loved one is exploring SPRAVATO® treatment, we’re here to answer questions and explain next steps. You can schedule online or call us at one of our locations in Cliffside Park, Elizabeth, or Edison, New Jersey, or in Manhattan or Brooklyn, New York.