The National Center for PTSD states that about 6% of the U.S. population will have post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives. PTSD can change how your brain functions, making treatment more difficult.
One emerging post-traumatic stress disorder treatment option has been shown to make a difference in the quality of life of those with the condition: ketamine therapy. At Scottsdale Ketamine Clinic, we can tell you more about ketamine for PTSD.
Understanding the Complexities of PTSD
PTSD is a mental health disorder that some people develop after witnessing or living through a traumatic experience. When you go through a traumatic event, your body responds by going into a fight-or-flight response. This response causes changes in your body through a release of certain hormones, an increase in adrenaline and blood pressure, and other physiological reactions.
Most people recover from this state after a while. Those who do not, however, develop PTSD. This does not mean that PTSD begins right after the traumatic event. For some, symptoms can start months and even years after. The symptoms can also come and go. Symptoms of PTSD are separated into four distinct categories:
- Re-experiencing symptoms
- Avoidance symptoms
- Reactivity symptoms
- Mood and cognition symptoms
Re-experiencing symptoms involve reliving the traumatic experience. They can include flashbacks and nightmares. You may avoid places, people, and things that remind you of the event. You might even try to distract yourself from thinking about the event.
Reactivity symptoms can include being more prone to getting startled as well as having trouble relaxing or sleeping. Some people also have angry outbursts. Mood and cognition symptoms can affect how you feel and think.
You may have negative thoughts about yourself, or you might find that you are no longer interested in activities you once loved. People with PTSD have symptoms that last for more than four weeks and interfere with their lives.
Ketamine for PTSD: How It Works
Ketamine is a general analgesic, which is why it has been used as an anesthetic. It is a dissociative drug that acts on chemicals in the brain and may cause auditory and visual distortions. The dissociative effects of ketamine have been found to relieve the symptoms of certain mental health conditions.
Ketamine therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can help provide relief from the symptoms of PTSD. Ketamine infusions for PTSD work by blocking the activity of the NMDA receptors in the brain, mimicking the effects of some antidepressants. The infusions can also increase serotonin levels, which can help improve your mood.
One of the most powerful ways ketamine infusions can help is by increasing the levels of glutamate in the brain. Glutamate promotes optimal brain function and supports the creation of new neural pathways. This effect can be vital for those dealing with mental health conditions. When your body creates new neural pathways, your brain becomes more flexible and adaptive, helping you deal with the triggers of PTSD in a healthier manner.
Benefits of Ketamine for PTSD Recovery
Ketamine therapy could allow you to get rapid relief from the symptoms of PTSD, allowing you to focus on talk therapy and other treatments without feeling distracted or drained by PTSD symptoms. Unlike many medications that help treat PTSD, ketamine does not have uncomfortable side effects. Ketamine treatment is also an excellent option for those who have treatment-resistant PTSD.
Undertaking Ketamine Therapy for PTSD
If you are searching for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, we recommend that you reach out to us and schedule a consultation. During the consultation, we will ask many questions, including what symptoms you experience and how much they affect your life. Most people are good candidates for ketamine therapy for PTSD, but if you have had a substance use disorder or have high blood pressure issues, you may not be the right fit.
We offer ketamine infusions, which means that you receive treatment intravenously. During this process, you can sit comfortably and listen to music or just relax. The treatment will likely take about 40 minutes. You could start to feel the effects after just a few minutes.
Once you complete the infusion, the effects may continue for a while longer, so we will keep you at the center for monitoring. As soon as you leave our clinic, however, you can return to your daily activities.
Most patients start with two ketamine treatment sessions each week. Later, you can reduce the sessions to just once a week and then once every two weeks. The length of your treatment can depend on the severity of the symptoms as well as your overall health.
Because ketamine for PTSD recovery helps your brain become more flexible, it can make other treatment options more effective. When you complete your ketamine therapy, you might find it easier to find relief from other types of PTSD therapy.
For most people, the benefits of a ketamine therapy session last for about a week. We will make a personalized treatment plan so that you can continue getting the help you need.
Get Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment in Phoenix, AZ
Living with PTSD can make your daily tasks seem impossible. You may worry about triggers and be unable to manage some activities because of the fear of experiencing symptoms. By turning to ketamine therapy, you can receive the help you need.
At Scottsdale Ketamine Clinic, we provide ketamine infusions in a comfortable and controlled environment. Our professionals are here to guide you through this innovative treatment option. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see if you can benefit from ketamine treatment.
