Have you tried traditional methods of treating depression to no avail? Or, does traditional treatment for depression lead to adverse reactions or unwanted side effects? If this is your reality, you may be struggling with treatment-resistant depression. Fortunately, there are revolutionary treatments that can help people living with treatment-resistant depression, such as ketamine infusion therapy. But, what can one expect from IV ketamine therapy sessions? Knowing more about what to expect from this type of treatment can prepare individuals who are considering this type of therapy as a means to treat symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.

Understanding More About Ketamine Treatment

Understanding what ketamine treatment for depression is can help you better understand what to expect when choosing this type of treatment. Ketamine is a medication that’s FDA approved for use in treating treatment-resistant depression and a number of other issues including mood disorders and chronic pain due to neurological disorders. While ketamine, on the street, can be used recreationally, there are a number of benefits to utilizing this substance in a medical setting. For use in treating treatment-resistant depression, ketamine is administered at a very low dose to reduce the chance of dependency.

How Ketamine is Used in the Mental Health Setting

Ketamine infusions for depression are available on a case-by-case basis. It must first be determined that an individual is struggling with depression before ketamine treatment is suggested. Specifically, ketamine infusions are helpful to people living with treatment-resistant depression, which is when depressive symptoms are not relieved by using traditional depression treatments (antidepressant prescription medications) alone. After determining that a person is suffering from treatment-resistant depression, medical professionals must then determine if a person is a good candidate for ketamine infusion therapy.

Some things that may make a person unqualified for ketamine infusion therapy include:

• hypertension
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• having adverse reactions to ketamine in the past
• pregnancy

What to Expect During Ketamine Treatment Sessions

It can be helpful to understand what the experience of going through a ketamine treatment session involves. This way, you can feel more prepared and comfortable walking into your first session. People who undergo ketamine infusion therapy are awake and aware during treatment. Patients are sat down in a comfortable room and are administered an IV with the use of a minuscule needle. Then, the medication is applied through the IV. It takes about 40 minutes to complete the intravenous infusion therapy.

Most patients don’t experience any adverse reactions to ketamine therapy sessions, but some side effects, while rare, can include feeling lightheadedness, nausea, and dissociation. Most patients just experience a relaxing sensation. And, while there is no serious downtime or recovery after sessions since ketamine can induce lightheadedness, it may be suggested that you have someone drive you home after treatments so that you’re not operating heavy machinery after sessions.

Finding Out More About Ketamine Treatment Sessions at Delray Integrative Medicine

Delray Integrative Medicine is an outpatient mental health treatment facility that offers help for people struggling with treatment-resistant depression. Part of this is offering services including ketamine infusion therapy sessions. Find out more about what to expect during these sessions available at our facility and contact us today for a confidential consultation.