Medications and talk therapy can effectively treat the symptoms of certain mental health disorders. However, they do not work for everyone. If you have depression, anxiety, or PTSD that does not respond to treatment, your doctor may recommend southern California ketamine therapy. Originally used as an anesthetic, ketamine is currently used in low doses as an off-label treatment for mental illness. It has proven extremely effective, with many patients reporting an almost-immediate improvement in mood following a treatment. However, like other mental health treatments, ketamine therapy is not ideal for everyone. So how do you know if you are a good fit? Here are five indications it might work for you.
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You Have Treatment-Resistant Depression or Anxiety
Treating mental health conditions often involves a lot of trial and error. Your doctor may adjust and change your dosage and prescription multiple times before they find a balance that works for you. Sometimes, however, you may take different medications for years only to find that none alleviate your symptoms. After all, antidepressants are only effective in 2 out of every 10 cases. Ketamine has shown remarkable results in treating treatment-resistant anxiety and depression. If you have tried many options to no avail – or don’t want to – you may be an ideal candidate for this treatment.
You Need Quick Relief with Minimal Side Effects
Ketamine therapy is renowned for its fast action. Many patients report significant changes in their mood and temperament in as little as an hour after a session. And while it only takes an hour to administer the infusion, these effects are long-lasting. Moreover, common side effects from ketamine therapy, like nausea and dizziness, only last a short period since ketamine leaves the body very fast.
You Are Having Suicidal Thoughts
Ketamine therapy’s fast-acting effects can quickly relieve thoughts of self-harm. The medication alleviates suicidal ideation so promptly; it is considered a life-saving treatment for people in crisis. Some patients say they experience an immediate reduction in suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm, sometimes even after a single injection. If you or someone you love is in crisis, contact your healthcare provider immediately to set up a ketamine therapy session or get similar help.
You Are Experiencing Chronic Pain
Ketamine therapy can also have positive effects on chronic pain. Because it was initially used as an anesthetic, it has pain-relieving properties that can help you manage your condition. If your mental illness prevents you from taking opioids – due to the risk of addiction – or you need help managing pain, you can discuss ketamine therapy with your doctor.
You Don’t Mind Paying Out of Pocket
Finally, ketamine therapy is currently not FDA-approved to treat mental conditions. This means that it is rarely the first line of treatment and is, therefore, not usually covered by insurance. While experts are working to prove its efficacy and get it approved, there is no telling when this will happen. Thus, you should consider the treatment if you do not mind paying for it yourself.
Should You Get Ketamine Therapy?
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which are only effective in about 20 percent of cases, ketamine therapy has a 70 percent efficacy rate. However, like traditional treatments, it may not be the best course of treatment for everyone. Pregnant women and people with schizophrenia, for instance, are not ideal candidates. Contact a certified provider today to learn if ketamine therapy can help you.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.