For people who have suffered for years from depression that can’t be resolved by any other means, ketamine seems to be a miracle drug. Many people have used ketamine therapy to ease what seemed like intractable depression.
How is Ketamine Different From Other Antidepressants?
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, have been popular for treating depression for several decades, but they work very differently from ketamine. These drugs increase the levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that allows nerve cells to send messages back and forth. Psychiatrists believe that serotonin affects mood, and people with depression have a deficit of it. Doctors who prescribe ketamine therapy believe that depression is caused when the brain is damaged from being saturated with stress hormone. Ketamine therapy is thought to repair the damage and far more quickly than SSRIs build up levels of serotonin.
Who is a Candidate?
A good candidate for ketamine therapy has been on other types of antidepressants, but the medications are not working to relieve their depression. People who also suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, such as veterans, and people with anxiety or panic disorders also seem to benefit from ketamine therapy. Anyone who wants ketamine therapy has a consultation with a member of our team and is given a medical exam.
The Treatment Session
During the session, the patient relaxes as the ketamine is delivered through an IV. During this time, the patient is monitored by the professional. After the treatment, they may be monitored for a bit longer by the staff before they can go home.
Though most patients feel better immediately, experts recommend that they have a series of ketamine sessions. These are scheduled over a period of time. Some patients have maintenance infusions of ketamine therapy as needed.
Talk to Us for More Information
If you have depression or another mood disorder that simply won’t respond to the medication you are taking, ketamine therapy may be an option. Set up a consultation with our staff at Montana Psychiatry & Brain Health Center in Billings to get started. Contact us today to book your appointment.
