An Overview of Ketamine for Major Depressive Disorder
Sadness is a natural part of human emotions. From time to time people may experience feeling sad or depressed when a life-changing event occurs, such as a death, major life change or an illness. These forms of sadness go away with time and individuals begin to feel like themselves again. When ongoing and intense feelings of sadness and despair take over a person’s everyday life, they may be diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). Texas Ketamine Specialists is available to help individuals living in the Dallas, Plano and Richardson, Texas communities who have not experienced alleviated symptoms with traditional MDD mood disorder treatments. Texas Ketamine Specialists offers the latest treatment option known as ketamine infusion therapy.
What is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
Major depressive disorder, also known as MDD and clinical depression, is characterized as a serious health condition that negatively impacts numerous areas of a person’s life. MDD impacts mood, behavior appetite and sleep patterns.
Common symptoms of major depressive disorder include:
- Sadness and irritability on a daily basis
- Feelings of restlessness and no concentration
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Loss of interest in most activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide
The exact cause of MDD is unknown. Certain medical professionals believe the disorder is caused by a combination of stress and genes that affect brain chemistry and reduce the ability to maintain stable moods.
MDD Mood Disorder Treatment with Ketamine Infusion Therapy
The most commonly prescribed MDD mood disorder treatment is a combination of antidepressant medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy). While this treatment option is successful in a fairly large amount of depression sufferers, it does not always provide alleviated symptoms for all patients.
This is where ketamine infusion therapy has forever changed the outcome of MDD mood disorder treatment. Individuals who have not responded to traditional antidepressants are typically ideal candidates for ketamine infusions.
Ketamine infusion therapy usually provides symptom relief in hours or days, not weeks or months. Patients suffering from major depressive disorder often experience symptoms so severe they do not have time to try medication after medication and months of talk therapy.
The ketamine infusion is administered over a 40 minute window in a controlled and comfortable setting at Texas Ketamine Specialists. During the session, patients often report double vision, a sensation of floating and some numbness in the toes and mouth area around the 10-minute mark. The feelings usually continue to intensify as the medicine reaches its peak at the very end of treatment. These feelings subside about 10-15 minutes after the ketamine for depression treatment has stopped.
Ketamine for major depressive disorder can rapidly alleviate symptoms and patients will know if the treatment is appropriate within 1-2 infusions. This allows the patient to determine if ketamine is a viable MDD mood disorder treatment in a short amount of time.
If you live in the Dallas, Plano and Richardson, Texas area and would like additional information on ketamine for major depressive disorder, or to determine if you are an ideal candidate for this new MDD mood disorder treatment, please contact the office of Texas Ketamine Specialists.
