Taking Care of an Ill Loved One

Benefits Of Ketamine Therapy For Severe Depression

When a person is severely depressed, quality of life can be minimal and relationships and employment can suffer. Most people who are severely depressed want to get help and feel better, but treating depression is complicated, and what may work for one person may not be effective for another. If you are battling severe depression, you may want to speak with your doctor about ketamine therapy. If you're a good candidate for ketamine therapy, you will receive IV infusions at a clinic while under the close supervision of a medical professional. Some of the benefits of using ketamine therapy to treat severe depression include:

Fast Acting

Many people with depression are first treated with medications that are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and these drugs can take time to work. In order for SSRIs to be effective, serotonin needs to build up, which can give a person some relief from the symptoms of depression. Unfortunately, not everyone responds to SSRIs, and in some cases, a person's depression may be severe enough that there is not time to try different medications and wait to see if they work. Ketamine is a different class of drug, and it works much faster-- in some cases, a person may see a marked difference in how they feel after their first ketamine infusion appointment.

Safe

If your doctor recommends ketamine therapy, you don't fill a prescription in a pharmacy. Instead, every ketamine infusion therapy appointment will take place in a clinic. A ketamine infusion typically takes less than an hour, and the amount of ketamine is carefully regulated, making this type of therapy very safe. While it is not common to have major side effects when administered an exact dose of ketamine, if you do have any issues, such as dizziness, nausea, or a change in blood pressure, when you begin ketamine therapy, the medical professionals at the clinic will be available to assist you.

Combat Suicidal Thoughts

One of the most serious issues a person is severely depressed may face is the presence of suicidal thoughts. Depression can play tricks on the mind, and when a person has suicidal thoughts, they may actually believe that the world would be a better place if they were no longer alive. Suicidal thoughts should never be overlooked, as many depressed people act on their thoughts by committing suicide. One benefit of ketamine therapy is the fact that some studies suggest that it can combat suicidal thoughts and help prevent people from acting on those thoughts since it is so effective and fast-acting. 

Speak to a professional about ketamine therapy at a clinic like Elevated Health that offers this treatment. 


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