Did you know that around 16 million adults experience major depression every year in the USA? While there is growing awareness surrounding the average person’s mental health status, every case needs different solutions. Some people benefit greatly from therapy, others from medication, and, for many, a mix of both.
One particular solution that has been gaining traction among people who suffer from major depression is ketamine. This article will discuss ketamine and how it can help with this condition.
The Problem With the Current Situation
Here is a current look at the present situation in the country: when you are diagnosed with depression, your doctor provides you with medication.
Unfortunately, this solution does not provide the treatment you need. Most of the traditional medicines used for depression in the US today take days before their benefits kick in. Some of them may take as long as months before the relief from symptoms takes effect.
Furthermore, although FDA-approved, the traditional depression prescriptions cause drowsiness, constipation, nausea, weight gain, and other unwanted effects. Ketamine does not give you these effects, and it works fast.
What Is Ketamine?
If it is your first time hearing about ketamine, you might be surprised to discover that it has been used in the medical field for years, on the battlefield, and in operating rooms. Nowadays, it is proving to be the solution to depression in many individuals.
Though it is not yet an FDA-approved antidepressant as of writing, it is an off-label treatment that has been used and is preferred by thousands of patients with depression. It has become a favorite because of its tranquilizing effects.
People battling depression who start to receive ketamine can re-engage with their lives again. Their symptoms also improve dramatically, and they are generally happy with the results.
That is why some doctors have started to treat their patients with ketamine. For these doctors, the increasing number of people with depression and the rates of suicide are crises that should not be taken lightly. The solution should also be more aggressive, effective, and fast.
Ketamine works as an efficient alternative for many patients. It addresses problems in the brain by repairing the damage that long-term exposure to stress hormones left in their wake. That makes it a quicker solution to an immediate problem.
What Is In a Ketamine Treatment?
Although highly recommended, ketamine is often only recommended to patients once they have tried every possible traditional antidepressant medication and treatment or never suggested by their mental health provider at all. We encourage those who are suffering from depression to reach out and schedule a free consultation to see if ketamine therapy may be right for you.
Ketamine can be administered by a number of different routes. The most common routes are oral, intravenous, intramuscular injections, and intranasal spray. The frequency depends on your doctor's recommendation. Based on the research focused on intravenous infusions, we often recommend 4-6 ketamine treatments with 1 -3 treatments per week. However, it is important to tailor the number and frequency to the individual patient.
Conclusion
People suffering from depression might need to consider the options that could work for them. Ketamine is a good alternative for those who have tried all the possibilities to no avail. However, like other medications, they should only be recommended and provided by healthcare professionals.
Are you looking for psychedelic therapy to improve your depression condition? If you are interested in ketamine, let Stephanie Lyn Coleman, MD, help you with her ketamine therapy. Dr. Coleman is a licensed physician trained in traditional western medicine culture. She is skilled in combining holistic treatments and western medicine. Contact us to understand more about how it works.