Treating Depression with Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine infusion therapy is a safe, evidence-based treatment for depression. Treatment that uses ketamine for depression can allow patients to reconnect with the life they deserve free from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. This is especially true when clinically controlled, individualized ketamine infusion therapy is offered along with a patient’s existing psychological support and integrated wellness programs.
Ketamine for Depression Treatment in Young Adults
Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Over the last decade, clinical research has shown that ketamine therapy can provide significant relief from depressive symptoms.
One major benefit of ketamine infusion therapy is that it begins working quickly. While traditional antidepressants can take several weeks to produce noticeable effects, ketamine infusion may relieve symptoms of depression as soon as one hour after treatment.
Ketamine is also unique for its long-lasting benefits from just a single treatment session. Unlike most antidepressants, ketamine therapy can be scheduled on an as-needed basis. After your initial stabilization treatments, you may find that you only need maintenance treatments a few times each year.
During your infusion at Mind Body Centers, your care team will continually monitor your comfort and response to treatment. You can also bring a friend, family member, or support animal to stay with you.
Ketamine for Depression at Mind Body Centers
Trying to help teens and young adults with major depression is difficult and upsetting for parents and families. Depression, anxiety, and the risks of self-harm or suicide are frightening, and getting professional help is not always easy.
In 2021 the U.S. Surgeon General issued a public health advisory on mental health challenges among children and teenagers. One in four young adults are battling depression and three national pediatric groups issued a statement calling suicide among teens and young adults a national emergency.
Safe Ketamine treatment 16 years and older
Mind Body Centers is highly experienced in providing safe and individualized ketamine treatment for patients 16 years and older. MBC conducts full medical assessments and professional psychological examinations prior to any treatment.
MBC also believes psychological support is an essential part of the program when dealing with these vulnerable young adults and Mind Body Centers coordinates treatment with the young adult’s supporting mental wellness providers.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Studies on Ketamine Therapy for Depression
Summary: “These results demonstrate that even the most treatment-resistant patients may benefit from ketamine, and that mid-to-long term treatment is effective in many patients.”
Study: Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: Recent developments and clinical applications.
Summary: “A growing body of research supports the acute efficacy of ketamine as a rapidly acting treatment for treatment-resistant unipolar depression, bipolar depression and PTSD…a critical number of studies support the efficacy of ketamine as a rapidly acting treatment for patients with TRD, while some studies also suggest efficacy in bipolar depression, PTSD and in those with acute SI. At this point, clinicians and patients should be aware of the limited information available regarding optimal dosing and long-term effects of ketamine treatment. We remain, however, cautiously optimistic and believe that ketamine has the potential to become a very important tool in the clinical treatment of severe mood and anxiety disorders.”
Study: Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression
Summary: “Ketamine has a robust and rapid effect on depression, which was seen immediately after the administration of ketamine and sustained at the end of 1 month.”
Study: Signaling pathways underlying the rapid antidepressant actions of ketamine
Summary: “Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist produces a rapid antidepressant response (within hours) and is effective in treatment resistant depressed patients…Novel targets that influence glutamate transmission, BDNF-mTOR signaling, and synaptogenesis offer promise for the development of safer, rapid acting and efficacious antidepressant agents for the treatment of depression.”
Depression Self-Screening
Depression is a potentially serious problem beyond just feeling sad or experiencing a rough patch. If you have depression, you may experience symptoms like:
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Brain fog or difficulty thinking
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Changes in eating habits
- Thoughts of suicide
This assessment, also known as the PHQ-9, is a widely used screening tool for evaluating the presence and severity of depression. It was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet BW Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues with an educational grant from Pfizer US Pharmaceuticals.
Screening results should be verified by a clinician, and diagnosis made on clinical grounds. The questionnaire is not intended for patients to diagnose or treat any disease on their own. Regardless of your results, you might want to share them with a doctor or mental health professional to help guide your treatment plan.
This is an anonymous assessment. Your results will not be recorded or saved.
Unlock a New You Today!
At Mind Body Centers our team of experienced medical professionals specializes in ketamine therapy and treatment, providing personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs.