The World Health Organization states that 3.8% of the world’s population experiences depression. Depression is a debilitating mental health condition that can be complex to treat, but now there is the option of ketamine for depression. At Scottsdale Ketamine Clinic, we can tell you more about how ketamine treatment works.
Depression is a serious mental illness that impacts how you feel and act. To receive a diagnosis of depression, you must have some of the following symptoms for at least two weeks:
Although there are many types of depression, major depressive disorder (also called clinical depression) is the most common. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that changes with the seasons. Some people experience persistent depressive disorder (PDD). This disorder causes milder symptoms, but it can last for two years or longer.
What causes depression, however? The cause is not clear yet, but scientists believe it is a combination of factors. Depression can occur because of an imbalance of brain chemistry. If neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and serotonin, are not working in tandem as they should, you can develop symptoms of depression.
Genetics can also play a significant role. If you have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with depression, there is a high chance you will struggle with it as well. Traumatic life events can also lead to the development of this disorder.
Ketamine is an option for people who have treatment-resistant depression. It is a dissociative drug that has been in use as an anesthetic for decades but now offers help for severe types of depression.
Ketamine produces a wide range of changes to sensory experience. In low doses, it can change levels of a chemical messenger called glutamate. Glutamate plays a role in mood regulation, so those who have low levels of this chemical messenger can experience symptoms of depression.
By changing the levels of glutamate, ketamine therapy helps your brain create new neural connections. This allows your brain to become more flexible and adaptable, helping you change the negative thoughts that can affect your mood.
Ketamine may not be right for people who have high blood pressure or who have a history of substance use disorders.
Ketamine therapy for depression starts to offer results quickly. Unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks — if not months — to provide relief from symptoms of depression, ketamine infusions can start working immediately. It can also offer these results for many days.
There aren’t many side effects that you have to worry about, especially when compared with the side effects that some antidepressants cause. Another benefit of ketamine infusions is that they can help reshape your brain functions, making it more likely that the antidepressants that may not have worked in the past can now be more effective.
If you struggle with depression and no other treatment options have made much of a difference, you can turn to us to see if you are a good candidate for ketamine infusions. We will assess your medical history, your mental health struggles, and the kind of medications you take. If we think you could benefit from ketamine depression treatment, we will work with you to put together a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs.
What can you expect when you arrive at our location for your first session of depression recovery with ketamine? We offer IV infusion treatment sessions, which usually take about 40 minutes. You can sit back as we take care of the entire procedure. You can expect the dissociative experience to begin quickly and to continue for about 20 minutes after you finish the infusion.
Throughout this time, we will monitor you carefully to ensure you are comfortable and stable. In the meantime, you can listen to music or simply relax. Once the ketamine therapy is over, you can return home and continue your regular everyday tasks.
For most people, two sessions a week can be a good starting point, which might then be reduced to one session a week.
The results can appear soon after the infusion, and they can last for days. The exact length will depend on your unique brain chemistry as well as how many sessions of ketamine therapy you have received.
Those who only get one infusion may see effects wearing off in about a week, while those who have had a series of infusions can benefit from the results for longer. During our consultation, we will explain what you need to know about the length of your treatment, though your response to the first ketamine session will also allow us to better gauge your needs.
If you feel trapped in the darkness of depression that not even medications can dispel, getting help is still possible. Ketamine treatment for depression can help your brain to become more flexible while alleviating the worst symptoms of depression.
You don’t have to resign yourself to living with depression. At Scottsdale Ketamine Clinic, we offer ketamine infusions to help you get the relief you need. Contact us today to learn more about our ketamine depression treatment options in Phoenix, AZ.
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