You’re not the only one looking for what’s ketamine therapy. Ketamine therapy is gaining traction as a crucial method in today’s psychiatric practice, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant MDD and certain other mental disorders. The most crucial first step to take is to know what you can do to take control of your mental health, and at Orlando Premier Psychiatry, we feel that’s starting to happen. This guide will cover the following topics about ketamine therapy: What is Ketamine Therapy? How does it work? Who is it for? What does undergoing Ketamine Therapy look like?
Key Takeaways
- Ketamine therapy is a psychiatric drug used for the safe administration of ketamine to help treat some mental health disorders. Decades of use as an anesthetic have proven the safety of ketamine, but scientists found that people with certain conditions might benefit from taking it in lower doses to have a positive impact on their mood and symptoms of depression.
- Ketamine therapy can also be more effective for some people compared to traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to be effective. Since everyone’s brain chemistry is unique, treatment is tailored to the symptoms, medical history and psychiatric evaluation.
- At Orlando Premier Psychiatry, led by mental health professionals, Ketamine therapy is part of an overall mental health treatment plan designed for each person’s unique needs.
What is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy is a psychiatric medication that involves the careful administration of ketamine to alleviate symptoms of some mental illnesses. Decades of use as an anesthetic have proven the safety of ketamine, but scientists found that people with certain conditions might benefit from taking it in lower doses to have a positive impact on their mood and symptoms of depression.
Ketamine therapy can also be more effective for some people compared to traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to be effective. As individual brains varies in chemistry, treatment is customized to symptoms, medical and psychiatric history.
Patients at Orlando Premier Psychiatry receive comprehensive mental health care by skilled professionals that includes ketamine therapy.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Traditional antidepressant medications mainly work on serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine. That’s not what ketamine therapy is.
It primarily seems to inhibit the activity of glutamate, a chemical in the brain that is among the most important neurotransmitters. Glutamate is a chemical that allows the brain cells to communicate and facilitates learning, memory and healthy brain connections.
Ketamine therapy is believed to be useful for treating:
- Enhance the flow of information within the brain.Improve communication between nerve cells.
- Help establish new neural connections.Support new brain pathways to develop.
- Make brain more malleable (plastic)
- Work just as well as many prescribed medications to alleviate depression symptoms.
This is a special mechanism that is why ketamine therapy has garnered a lot of attention in modern-day psychiatry.
What Conditions Can Ketamine Therapy Help Treat?
After a comprehensive psychiatric assessment, the psychiatrist will determine whether ketamine therapy will be helpful to you.
It could be applied to:
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Ketamine therapy could be beneficial for individuals who have suffered from several antidepressant medications without satisfactory response.
Major Depressive Disorder
There may be a few individuals who are severely depressed who are candidates.
Anxiety Disorders
It is possible for some anxiety disorder types to be eased by being involved with a complete psychiatric treatment program.
Bipolar Depression
These patients can be successfully treated in a controlled psychiatric setting if appropriate.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Research is still underway on the effects of ketamine treatment to reduce symptoms of PTSD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
There are some early indications of potential benefits but further studies are in progress.
Treatment is individualized; no two people will be treated in exactly the same way.
Ready to Learn if Ketamine Therapy Is Right for You?
If you are considering alternative treatments for depression or other mental health issues, Orlando Premier Psychiatry can help determine if Ketamine therapy is the right treatment for you. Speak with our staff and develop targeted plans to achieve your goals.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?
Not everybody is fit to be a best candidate.
A psychiatric professional can suggest ketamine treatment if you:
- Suffer from depression which is not resolved after taking several medicines
- Becomes less symptomatic faster when receiving psychiatric care
- Read and comprehended a thorough psychiatric assessment.
- Can be treated with medicine, if medically suitable
- Is able to make regular follow-up appointments
Your psychiatrist will also review:
- Medical history
- Current medications
- Mental health history
- Family history
- Lifestyle factors
This is important to assess for suitability and safety of ketamine treatment.
What Happens During a Ketamine Therapy Session?
Understanding the process will help to reduce anxiety during therapy.
For each successful session of ketamine therapy, the following will occur:
Initial Evaluation
Your psychiatrist discusses your medical history, what symptoms you’re experiencing, the medications you take and treatment plans with you.
Treatment Preparation
Your vital signs will be taken and you will be rested in a quiet treatment room.
Ketamine Administration
Ketamine infusion is offered by many practices by IV (Intravenous) line.
Depending on your treatment plan, other delivery methods might be possible.
Monitoring
The session is designed to care for you and ensure your comfort and safety.
Recovery
Depending on the situation, most are observed in the facility after the treatment and discharged to the home (with a responsible adult if needed) or transferred to another facility for further care.
Different Types of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine can be given in a variety of different forms.
Ketamine Infusion
Ketamine infusion is a drip of medicine that’s administered slowly for 40–60 minutes.
Ketamine infusion is the most researched technique employed by many psychiatric practices.
People searching for:
This is a treatment that is sought after by a lot of people.
Intranasal Esketamine
Esetamine is now approved as a nasal spray to treat treatment-resistant depression in some adults along with an antidepressant pill.
Oral Ketamine
In certain cases, compounded oral ketamine can be prescribed by some providers.
Intramuscular Injection
Ketamine may occasionally also be given as a muscle injection.
Your health care provider for mental health will determine which one is best for you.
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
Research is ongoing, however there are some possible benefits:
Faster Symptom Relief
Some people feel better than they do when they are taking anti-depressants.
New Treatment Option
Ketamine is a relatively new kind of treatment, and can offer hope for people who have not responded to traditional medications.
Supports Brain Connectivity
Improved abilities to connect in the brain may be beneficial in reducing symptoms.
Personalized Care
Treatment is personalized to each person.
Comprehensive Psychiatric Support
Ketamine therapy is most effective when paired with ongoing psychiatric care, proper medication management (if necessary) and a healthy lifestyle.
Why Choose Orlando Premier Psychiatry?
At Orlando Premier Psychiatry we seek to provide one-to-one, caring Orlando family, adolescent and adult psychiatric treatment.
Whether you’re searching for:
- psychiatry near me
- psychiatry orlando
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Our expert psychiatric staff provides the care that you need.
We also know that the families may require special services such as:
- child psychiatry
- Child psychiatric clinic close to you
- child psychiatry orlando
- Child psychiatrists Orlando FL are available to help.
If appropriate, when younger patients.
Start Your Mental Health Journey Today
Depression and other mental health problems can be really all-consuming but you don’t have to face them alone. If you’re not sure if ketamine therapy is part of your treatment, contact Orlando Premier Psychiatry today. We have very qualified psychiatric staff on hand to answer your questions, perform a thorough assessment and discuss with you one-on-one what may be on offer to improve your mental wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ketamine therapy FDA approved?
Ketamine is a drug that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an anesthetic medication. But the intravenous administration of ketamine for depression is considered an “off-label” application in general. Fda has approved the nasal spray for the treatment of depression in certain adult patients who did not respond to antidepressant medications.
How long do the effects last?
This takes place for a period of time which is different for each person. For some, after a treatment session, they will notice a change that lasts for days or weeks, but for others, they will need a series of treatments and psychiatric follow-up to help keep the results.
Does insurance cover ketamine therapy?
Depending on your insurance and the treatment you receive, coverage will vary. Some plans may be more willing to cover psychiatric evaluations or FDA approved esketamine, and coverage for IV ketamine therapy will vary. Check directly with your insurance provider.
Is ketamine therapy addictive?
Ketamine therapy is monitored by trained psychiatric experts and follows medical guidelines. Your psychiatrist reviews your medical history and manages your treatment to minimize risks and provide you with safe treatment.
Can ketamine therapy be combined with other mental health treatments?
Yes. Ketamine therapy is used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medication management, psychotherapy, healthy lifestyle changes and continued psychiatric care. Your psychiatrist can create your individual treatment plan, designed to your unique requirements.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every person’s mental health needs are unique. Always consult a qualified psychiatrist or licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Spravato (esketamine) Information. https://www.fda.gov
- American Psychiatric Association. The Role of Ketamine in Psychiatry. https://www.psychiatry.org
- National Library of Medicine (PubMed). Ketamine for Depression Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
