KETAMINE
Ketamine Treatment for Mood Disorders
The general public believes mood disorders to be purely emotional conditions,
not understanding that those who suffer from mood disorders also suffer
severe & debilitating physical symptoms, very often interfering
with normal, everyday functioning.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy is NOT a first-line treatment for mood disorders. However, if you have been unsuccessfully helped with the standard treatment approaches, ketamine infusion therapy may be the next choice for you.
DEPRESSION
Studies show that 30-40% of people taking anti-depressants are not adequately helped.
Also, for some, the side effects of
anti-depressants are as debilitating as the condition itself. (1, 2)
"Recent data suggest that ketamine given intravenously might be the most important anti-depressant treatment in decades."
Director (former) of the National Institute of
Mental Health Thomas Insel (3)
PTSD
Although 50-60% of Americans will experience some sort of trauma in
their lifetime, an estimated 8% are currently suffering from PTSD
(that's over 24 million Americans).
Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD.
Up to 20% of military veterans will struggle with PTSD. (4)
Ketamine infusion therapy is associated with
significant and rapid reduction of PTSD symptom severity. (5)
ANXIETY
Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mood disorders in America, affecting over 18%
of the adult population (that's 40 million adults). (11)
Only 36.9% of those with anxiety are receiving treatment.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) often co-occurs with depression.
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from both GAD & Panic Disorder.
OCD
OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, affects about 1% of American adults & 0.5% of American children (that's roughly 3 million Americans). (7)
First-line treatments of medication combined with cognitive therapy helps about 70% of those with OCD. (8)
Until recently, the next recommendation for severe OCD to help the remaining 30% involves
brain surgery....ketamine infusion therapy can change that. (8, 9)
SUICIDE IN AMERICA
In the last 20 years, suicide rates in half of the states has risen over 30%; it has risen in all states except Nevada by at least 6%. (10)
Ketamine can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts. (12)
SUICIDE IS NOT AN OPTION! THERE IS HOPE!
IS KETAMINE INFUSION THERAPY RIGHT FOR ME?
Ketamine Infusion Therapy is most likely to help those who have had prolonged symptoms of their mood disorder not relieved
by other interventions. This therapy can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts.
There is no difference in the effectiveness of ketamine therapy based on age, gender, or race.
Although we do not require a referral from a psychiatrist in order to offer ketamine treatment, we do require paperwork (History & Physical) from a provider, including your diagnosis & treatments that you've tried.
We will give your current provider updates on how your infusions are progressing. If you do not have a current provider,
we will recommend you to a local provider so that we may work together to improve your wellness.
Although Ketamine Infusion Therapy is safe for most people, there are a few conditions that may prevent one from being a good candidate to receive ketamine infusions:
- We do not use ketamine infusions for patients who are pregnant.
- We do not use this therapy for those with schizophrenia.
- Hypertension needs to be optimized to reduce the risk of adverse effects.
- Sleep apnea needs to be treated in order for ketamine infusions to be optimized.
- If one has Interstitial Cystitis (IC) we highly recommend a visit to your urologist to determine if they wish to perform a cystoscopy prior to initiating ketamine infusion therapy. Additionally, we have a protocol that we follow for IC patients; we will share that with you during our consultation.
- Anyone with a history of chronic liver disease will need labwork done prior-to & several weeks after ketamine infusions.
- Use of benzodiazepines (valium, ativan, xanax, klonopin) may reduce the effectiveness of ketamine infusions. These medications should be reduced or discontinued for a day or two prior to treatment; please consult with your current provider to obtain their recommendations.
- Ketamine infusions may be helpful in those with alcohol and/or drug abuse, but will need more attention than just ketamine therapy. If you have either of these issues, we need to help you find a counselor or therapist as you begin ketamine infusion therapy.
Call today for a free telephone or FaceTime consultation.