Why Ketamine Might Be the Right Treatment for PTSD
Dec 12, 2023
Did you know that nearly 8 million people nationwide struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? PTSD is a mental health disorder that may develop after either experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It leads to symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of anxiety, anger, and/or guilt.
The recurring thoughts about the event can leave you feeling constantly worried or edgy, making daily life difficult.
While there’s no cure for PTSD, there are many ways to effectively manage it. Traditional treatment methods that experts typically recommend include psychotherapy and medication such as antidepressants. However, studies reveal that some people don’t respond to these interventions, they struggle to find an option that works right for them, and they end up feeling defeated.
If your PTSD has been resistant to many different treatment options, our team, led by Katherine Go, CRNA, at Rejuvenate IV Therapy in Spring, Texas, offers ketamine infusions as an effective alternative.
Many of us will experience or witness a traumatic event at some point in our lives. However, in most cases, we can move on from the event with minimal adjustments and coping mechanisms, and the harsh reactions that stem from it will wane over time.
But, for others, this event leaves them with feelings that only increase in intensity — to the point where it becomes difficult to function. If you start experiencing this emotional distress within a month of the event's occurrence, the doctor diagnoses you with PTSD.
When you have PTSD, these intense feelings can also be accompanied by other events or behaviors: flashbacks, where you repeatedly relive the event; avoidance of people or places that remind you of the event; mood swings, and a loss of interest in work or hobbies. You may even experience suicidal ideation.
Ketamine is a dissociative drug that’s been used for many years as an anesthetic. However, over the years, it’s also shown promising results as a treatment that can help with many mental health conditions resistant to traditional methods, including PTSD.
For many people struggling with PTSD, typical treatments can take weeks or even months to take effect, if they do at all. And if your symptoms are so intense that you have suicidal thoughts, time is a luxury you can’t afford.
Ketamine works by increasing the production of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that helps to encourage your brain to form new pathways and repair any damaged ones. This can give you more adaptability and a chance to think about your trauma differently.
At Rejuvenate IV Therapy, we offer intravenous infusions of ketamine. You can experience results almost instantaneously as the ketamine enters your bloodstream.
If you’d like to be considered as a candidate for ketamine infusions, contact our team to set up a consultation. You can do this by giving us a call at 936-220-3693 or by using our online scheduler today.