Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine therapy is helping many people suffering from treatment-resistant depression get relief from their symptoms within hours. At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy in Aurora and Chicago, Illinois, Lawrence Abah, PMHNP-BC, Pauline Bao Ling Soh, PA, and the team provide ketamine therapy. They use esketamine, which is a type of ketamine therapy that uses a nasal spray. To learn more about ketamine therapy and how it can help you, call Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy or schedule an appointment online today.

What is ketamine therapy?

Ketamine therapy is a ground-breaking treatment for people struggling with mental health conditions that fail to respond to traditional psychiatric medications and psychotherapy. 

Ketamine is a general anesthesia used for surgical procedures. It acts on certain neurotransmitters in the brain, stopping the transmission of pain signals. Researchers discovered that when given in low doses, ketamine rapidly relieves symptoms of depression.

Though researchers are still investigating how it works, they theorize that by blocking certain neurotransmitters, ketamine forces the brain to make new neural pathways. Changes in brain chemistry and communication are linked to mental health problems like depression. Ketamine boosts brain chemistry and communication, improving mood and thinking.

Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy is a psychiatry practice that provides modern therapies to help patients get relief from their symptoms, like ketamine therapy. 

Am I a candidate for ketamine therapy?

The team at Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy determines if you’re a candidate for ketamine therapy after a consultation. They may consider you a candidate for the innovative therapy if you have depression and fail to get relief from medication and psychotherapy.

The team may also suggest ketamine therapy for other serious mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder. It’s also beneficial to those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What happens during ketamine therapy?

Ketamine therapy is an in-office treatment. Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy uses esketamine for ketamine therapy, which is a nasal spray form of the medication. You come to the office for your treatment, where you remain for two hours so the team can closely monitor you for side effects.

You must arrange to have someone drive you home after your treatment. 

The team customizes your ketamine therapy, so you get the best outcomes. However, the general protocol for ketamine therapy is two treatments a week for the first four weeks, then once a week for the next four weeks, and twice a month thereafter. 

How long do I need ketamine therapy?

The team at Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy determines the length of your ketamine therapy. They recommend you take an antidepressant and participate in psychotherapy when receiving esketamine to gain the most benefits. 

To find out how ketamine therapy can help your depression, call Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy or schedule an appointment online today.