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When Should You Consider Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Conditions?
Ketamine may not be a drug you consider when living with mental health problems, but it's highly effective for severe depression. However, ketamine may not be the best option for everyone, so it's crucial to know when to consider it for treatment.
At Carolina Wellness Psychiatry, our team of two expert psychiatrists and one experienced psychologist offers ketamine therapy along with medication management and psychotherapy. We provide ketamine for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and suicidal ideations.
Understanding ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that doctors use in operating rooms. However, it's also an option for treating various mental health issues when other therapies fail to work.
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic that causes temporary loss of consciousness but preserves breathing reflexes. In lower doses, it offers pain relief and changes in the brain that help with depression symptoms.
The brain is where ketamine works to alleviate depression symptoms. It blocks glutamate from binding to NMDA receptors, changing neural pathways. It also allows for increased neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to overcome harmful thought patterns.
The result is better brain functioning, which doesn't happen with traditional antidepressants. Over time, it allows people to get out of harmful thought patterns that contribute to depression and suicidal thoughts.
What conditions can ketamine treat?
Ketamine is an excellent treatment for certain mental health disorders. It's an option when other treatments don't alleviate bothersome symptoms, even after trying several medications and psychotherapy.
People with treatment-resistant depression are the best candidates for ketamine treatment. TRD persists despite trying several antidepressants for some time without significant symptom relief.
IV or intranasal forms of ketamine provide fast and efficient relief for TRD by creating new neural pathways in the brain. The result is decreased symptoms and manageable depression.
Ketamine is also a practical option for people with suicidal ideations who can't get relief from antidepressants and counseling. It works quickly to alleviate suicidal thoughts until we can introduce other interventions.
Considering ketamine for treatment
Ketamine isn't a first line of treatment for many reasons, including side effects and risks associated with use. However, it's an option we provide to patients who need relief from depression and suicidal thoughts.
We consider offering ketamine treatment for those who are experiencing any of the following:
You've tried other options, but they don’t work
Ketamine is a consideration after we explore every other treatment option. That means you've tried combination medications, augmented therapy with multiple antidepressants, and other medicines to alleviate symptoms, all without relief.
You have severe depression symptoms
Depression that produces severe symptoms, including suicidal thoughts or attempts, is a reason to consider ketamine therapy. It works quickly to eliminate harmful symptoms like suicidal thoughts and those that interfere with everyday life.
You want fast results
Ketamine offers speedy results for depression, suicidal thoughts, and even bipolar disorder, Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine works immediately to alleviate severe symptoms and suicidal thoughts.
Suicide is a risk
If you're having significant suicidal ideations, ketamine is the only emergency treatment that works to relieve these thoughts significantly. It's a great option in crises until other long-term therapies can be implemented.
Call Carolina Wellness Psychiatry today to schedule an appointment to discuss depression and ketamine treatments, or use our online booking feature to request a consultation with our team.
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