Long-Term Effects of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy can relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression in as little as a few hours. Like many other medications, it can also cause some mild side effects. Because of these potential side effects, a specialist will monitor the patient for about 30 minutes after treatment. It’s rather well-known what patients experience shortly after treatment because they have to attend more sessions and get regular follow-ups, but it is harder to tell how individuals are affected by ketamine in the long-term once they’ve been finished with treatment for a while.
The Process of Ketamine Therapy
Originally created as an anesthetic to relieve pain, ketamine therapy is now used to treat treatment-resistant depression (depression that doesn’t respond to two or more antidepressant medications) and eliminate suicidal thoughts in individuals with major depressive disorder.
Ketamine, which usually comes in the form of an injectable infusion, must be administered by a healthcare professional in a medical center or mental health treatment facility. Treatment typically consists of six sessions (lasting about 30-45 minutes each), which are spaced about two weeks apart from each other. After a session, patients may experience side effects like:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Double vision
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Muscle spasms
- Being in a dream-like state
- Feeling a strange or loopy sensation
In between the six sessions, patients will usually meet with a specialist to discuss their progress and talk about how they’re feeling so far. If a patient experiences any of the side effects listed above after leaving one of their sessions, they should tell the specialist as soon as possible.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Ketamine?
In addition to quickly eliminating some symptoms of depression, ketamine can also help individuals manage their depression in the long-term. This treatment has the potential to change a depressed individual’s brain function for the better. In most cases, it takes about four to six weeks after the first injection for a person to feel the complete effects of ketamine treatment.
An individual will know that their treatment is working when they begin to feel more fulfilled and motivated. Ketamine has the potential to alleviate suicidal ideations, life depressed moods, and eliminate hopeless feelings for a long period of time. This is only possible, however, if the individual continues to work toward managing their depression. People can continue to manage their depression after ketamine treatment by taking antidepressant medication, attending therapy, going to support groups, practicing self-care, and more.
Ketamine Therapy Near You
The first step toward receiving ketamine treatment is finding the right provider. Since ketamine therapy is such a delicate process, it’s important to select somewhere that you think would be a good fit. You should not only choose an environment where you feel comfortable, but you
should also make sure you feel at-ease with the staff members at that location. Throughout your journey, you need to feel like you can openly and honestly communicate with your provider.
To learn more about ketamine therapy and the short-term or long-term effects of treatment, contact our team of mental health treatment professionals at Elium Health today. Our specialists offer ketamine therapy in a welcoming, friendly environment and are always available to answer any questions or discuss concerns both during and after treatment. For more information, give us a call at 866-552-3758 or send an email to contact@eliumhealth.com.
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