Visit a Ketamine Clinic for Depression Treatment

Ketamine Clinic Myrtle Beach, SC

A ketamine clinic may help those with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) finally find relief. Traditional anti-depressants and therapy are sometimes not enough to relieve symptoms in some individuals with depression. Ketamine is one newer therapy that is showing promise in helping these individuals. If you are considering visiting a ketamine clinic for depression treatment, here are some things you should know.

Ketamine explained

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used in human and veterinary medicine for sedation and pain management. Medical professionals first used in the United States during the 1970s. This drug has hallucinogenic properties and can make a person feel like they are detached from reality and in a dreamlike state.

Because of its history of use as a recreational drug, it has somewhat of a bad reputation in certain circles. However, when used by qualified healthcare professionals, ketamine can be safe and beneficial. Ketamine continues to be used in medicine and, in recent years, has been shown to help alleviate some forms of depression.

Overview of ketamine clinics

Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression in 2019, ketamine clinics have been opening more frequently across the country. The type of staff and oversight varies from clinic to clinic. Therefore, patients should do their research and be selective when considering a ketamine clinic.

Patients are advised to choose a clinic run by a licensed mental health professional and medical doctor, such as a psychiatrist with extensive experience in ketamine therapy. Patients are urged to review the clinic's website for information on the facility's services and the qualifications of the practitioners. Also, we recommend reading reviews from actual patients on reputable review sites such as WebMD or Healthgrades.

Ketamine and depression

Ketamine therapy is not typically a first-line treatment for depression. This treatment is recommended for those with TRD who have tried at least two other depression medications without experiencing significant improvement in their symptoms. For these individuals, ketamine may be used in addition to other anti-depressant medication.

Research into the exact mechanism by which ketamine improves depression in patients is ongoing. However, it appears to work by prompting the brain to form new neural connections that make the brain more adaptable and able to recover from depression. In addition, ketamine therapy can be faster-acting than traditional anti-depressant medication and free of many of the unwanted side effects caused by those medications.

How treatment works

A customized treatment plan is designed after a thorough medical and psychological evaluation of the patient. Treatment is usually delivered in a series of sessions spaced out over weeks or months, with possible maintenance treatments to maintain the results. Patients will likely be advised to continue with their regular depression medications along with a form of talk therapy. We find the best results come from a combination of ketamine treatments combined with other depression therapies.

Ketamine may be administered intravenously, through a nasal spray, or orally, and sessions can last 40 to 60 minutes. The experience is different for each patient. However, many describe the session as pleasant and report deep relaxation, mild euphoria, and an out-of-body experience. During each session, medical professionals monitor the patient closely to ensure their safety and comfort, as ketamine can cause hallucinations and intense feelings of dissociation.

Who is a candidate

Ideal candidates are those with treatment-resistant depression who have not found sufficient relief after trying at least two anti-depressant medications. However, ketamine therapy may also be an option for those who cannot tolerate the side effects associated with traditional anti-depressants.

Those with certain cardiovascular issues and glaucoma are not good candidates for ketamine therapy. According to Harvard Health, ketamine therapy should be avoided or used with extreme caution in the following individuals:

  • Those with schizophrenia or a history of psychosis
  • People with a history of substance abuse or substance abuse disorder
  • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Older adults with symptoms of dementia

Also, the long-term effects of ketamine on the developing brain are still an area of concern. Therefore, ketamine therapy is not recommended for teenagers.

Learn more about depression treatment from a ketamine clinic

Depression can cast a shadow over your life that can seem unrelenting. It is even more frustrating when you have tried medication and therapy without success. At Future Psych Ketamine Clinics, we believe no one should have to live under the cloud of depression, and we continue to seek innovative ways to help our patients overcome treatment-resistant depression. To learn more about depression treatment at a ketamine clinic, call our team today.

Request an appointment here: https://mb.futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Ketamine Clinics at (843) 788-9718 for an appointment in our Myrtle Beach office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Ketamine Clinic in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Recent Posts

When Long-Term Psychotherapy Is A Treatment Option

Psychotherapy can help many people with different emotional and mental issues. It can remove any difficult symptom that prevents a person from functioning well. The right length of this therapy depends on what problems you may have. If you want to know when long-term psychotherapy is an option for you, here are the details.Talking with…

When Short-term Psychotherapy May Be Recommended

Whereas psychotherapy tends to be a long-term treatment for dealing with mental health issues, short-term therapy is more about achieving goals. If you do short-term therapy, you will likely focus on whatever issues currently give you the most trouble. One significant advantage of short-term therapy is that it can help you face the avoidance tendencies…

3 Benefits Of Ketamine Infusion Therapy From A Psychiatrist

In recent years, ketamine infusion therapy has become a popular complementary psychiatric treatment method. While many people take SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) for this condition, others do not respond the same way or experience side effects. In these cases, psychiatrists may recommend ketamine infusion therapy to provide relief where traditional methods have fallen short.…

Psychotherapy Approaches For Anxiety Treatment

Patients with anxiety will need psychotherapy for its management. People with this type of disorder react to unfavorable situations, thoughts, and feelings in an intense way. Managing this mental condition the right way can prevent worries and fears from developing. If you want to know the various psychotherapy approaches to treating anxiety, here are the…

Recent Posts

When Long Term Psychotherapy Is A Treatment Option

When Long-Term Psychotherapy Is A Treatment Option

Psychotherapy can help many people with different emotional and mental issues. It can remove any difficult symptom that prevents a person from functioning well. The right length of this therapy depends on what problems you may have. If you want to know when long-term psychotherapy is an option for you, here are the details.Talking with…

When Short Term Psychotherapy May Be Recommended

When Short-term Psychotherapy May Be Recommended

Whereas psychotherapy tends to be a long-term treatment for dealing with mental health issues, short-term therapy is more about achieving goals. If you do short-term therapy, you will likely focus on whatever issues currently give you the most trouble. One significant advantage of short-term therapy is that it can help you face the avoidance tendencies…