Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. It affects more than 16.1 million American adults or about 6.7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
Depression can affect so many aspects of your life. Everything from your social life, your everyday tasks, to your work life. It is even the leading cause of disability in the United States.
If you are living with depression, you understand how hard it is to find a depression treatment plan that works. It can be a tiring process. And sometimes the side effects from the medications like traditional antidepressants seem to outweigh the benefits.
But at Progressive Pain and Interventional Psychiatry, we know that there are alternatives for your depression treatment like Ketamine Therapy. Does this treatment option have potential side effects like the traditional options? We have all the information on this treatment option for you today.
What is Ketamine Therapy Depression Treatment
Ketamine was initially developed as an anesthetic in 1962 and then used for emergency pain control on the battlefield during the Vietnam War.
Doctors have now discovered it has amazing benefits to treat patients with chronic pain, treatment-resistant depression, and anxiety disorders. Ketamine is also used as an adjunct therapy for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder and chemical dependency disorders.
But how does it work exactly? Since Ketamine is a strong anesthetic it keeps certain nerve receptors from firing. Ketamine is also believed to repair damage to the brain. This damage could be caused by cortisol and other long-term stress hormones, which build up proteins in the brain over time.
Ketamine is administered in the office via an intravenous (IV) line. You will be in the office for 40 minutes to 1 hour. Most patients who are receiving infusions for depression treatment will receive eight sessions over the first month and an additional four sessions over the second month. After that, some patients will not need any further sessions. Others may need to be tapered off their treatment.
Who Can Benefit From Ketamine Therapy Depression Treatment?
Traditional depression treatments such as SSRIs are usually combined with therapy as the first course of treatment. However, often there are long periods of changing medication to find the best fit for your needs. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution and you may have to try several combinations before you find one that works for you. Time and patience are key.
But when living with depression, the ideal solution would be a faster relief method. And Ketamine infusions are a much faster solution than traditional depression treatment. You can sometimes find relief within hours of treatment.
If you have tried other treatments for your depression and you aren’t finding relief, Ketamine may be something you can benefit greatly from.
Ketamine also does not cause side effects that oral antidepressants often cause, including weight gain, sexual dysfunction. These side effects are a common complaint that we hear from patients being treated for depression.
And, while Ketamine infusion therapy is a great depression treatment, it is also known to also improve various other psychiatric disorders such as:
- Suicidal thinking
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Generalized anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
Are There Draw Backs?
While Ketamine Infusions are a great alternative to traditional depression treatment, like any treatment, it isn’t made for everyone. There has to be a discussion with your provider to determine if Ketamine could be a solution for you and your specific condition.
As with any type of treatment, there are also risks associated with Ketamine infusions that the professionals at PPIP will discuss with you before your infusion. This can include temporary side effects like mild hallucinations, floating sensations, fuzzy vision, and dizziness.
While there can be side effects, if your provider finds that you are a candidate for treating your depression with Ketamine, the benefits far outweigh them.
Contact Us Today
Finding the right treatment option for your depression is key. We don’t want anyone to have to suffer from untreated or undertreated symptoms of depression. It can greatly impact your life.
If you are ready to see if Ketamine Infusion Treatments could help you treat your depression, contact us today by calling (214) 826-8000. We can work together to help find the right treatment option for you.