When Ketamine Therapy is Recommended for Depression Treatment

Traditional treatments may not always work when it comes to treating depression, in which case a different option like ketamine therapy may be the right choice. Whether it is mild or severe depression, our brains' state is important to determine how effective the chosen treatment will be. In some cases, our brains may not respond well to traditional treatment options, or it may be that the depression is simply too severe for standard oral antidepressants to do the job properly. Fortunately, there are new, more effective types of drug therapy available. 

It's important to know all your options when getting treatment for depression, and that's why we want to illustrate the effective nature of ketamine in treating depression, what ketamine is, and how effective it is at treating depression. 

What is ketamine?   

Originally, ketamine was used as a powerful surgical anesthetic as when it is used; it blocks pain receptors. It first began being used as an anesthetic for animals in the 1960s before receiving approval to be used for humans in 1970 

It wasn't until years later that the same drug was administered to a person who had attempted suicide due to severe depression. Reports claimed that the person immediately began showing signs of changed behavior, including not wanting to commit suicide and feeling less depressed. 

This led to the eventual reevaluation of the drug, and it became FDA-approved to treat depression in a clinical setting. 

Ketamine therapy works differently than typical antidepressants because it immediately changes brain chemistry. Most patients report feeling euphoric immediately after taking the drug, typically lasting a couple of hours or less. This feeling is then followed by enhanced mood and less depressive tendencies. 

Over time it is believed that ketamine helps to rebuild synapses in the brain that help parts of the brain communicate with each other. In patients with depression, these synapses are decreased, leading to depressed behavior.  

When is this type of therapy used? 

Ketamine is not a standard depression treatment and isn't considered usable in all cases. However, it has shown remarkable effectiveness for cases that it is prescribed for. Because of the nature of the drug to become addictive or be misused, ketamine is prescribed almost exclusively for patients with treatment-resistant depression. 

Treatment-resistant depression is defined as depression that has shown no changes when taking at least two or more standard antidepressant drugs. Ketamine is used in conjunction with oral antidepressants and has a high rate of success. 

Contact your psychiatrist about ketamine today

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression and their current medication isn't working, it might be time to contact a psychiatrist who can prescribe ketamine therapy. No one should have to live with depression, and this may be a solution for you. Learn more about your options so you can get on a path toward mental wellness. 

Request an appointment here: https://futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Solutions at (803) 335-5232 for an appointment in our Columbia office.

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