Ketamine therapy for depression
OVID Clinic Berlin
Depression as an indication for treatment with ketamine
Depression is often characterized by an impairment of joy, zest for life, and motivation. Those affected often report a lack of drive, self-doubt and feelings of guilt. While such episodes are usually temporary, they often last for a longer period of time for people with depression.
Negative feelings and thoughts then dominate everyday life and general well-being. In this regard, it is important to know that there are several options for treatment, including the option of ketamine therapy for depression. We would like to talk about this specific treatment option for depression on this page.
To provide you with more information about depression, we have put together a compilation of details about symptoms, diagnosis, and various treatment options. That way you can get further information and learn more about this topic.
New therapy option for depression
Depression can manifest itself in many different ways and often severely affects the lives of those affected. Self-doubt, guilt and lack of motivation, associated with are just some of the symptoms that.
There are several ways to treat depression, including psychotherapy (such as behavioral therapy) and pharmacological treatments. If neither drug treatment with antidepressants nor psychotherapy have achieved the desired therapeutic success for depression, therapy with ketamine as part of augmented psychotherapy may be an alternative option.
Augmented psychotherapy provides the opportunity to initiate a process of change through altered states of consciousness, even in the case of a long-lasting course of illness. To do this, we take advantage of the direct and rapid onset antidepressant effect of ketamine. For more information, please visit the following link.
Ketamine for treatment-resistent depression (TRD)
Several mechanisms of action are utilized in augmented psychotherapy. The direct antidepressant effect of ketamine allows psychotherapeutic work with less burden of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, there is a phase of increased neuroplasticity, i.e. the brain’s ability to change and reorganize itself. This also favors the changes. In altered states of consciousness, patients can often gain important insights and knowledge about themselves and their environment, which can be of great value in the treatment of their mental illness. Augmented psychotherapy can thus also be a therapeutic option after a long period of illness and suffering.
DEPRESSION & PAIN
Pain syndromes often accompany depression, and depression exacerbates physical pain. Unexplained pain can also be a symptom of depression. In augmented psychotherapy, we take advantage of the analgesic and antidepressant effects of ketamine. Through the experiences in the changed consciousness, there is often the possibility of a new perception and understanding of the pain symptomatology. Psychotherapy for integration is helpful in making these processes sustainable with you.
Ketamine treatment for depression in palliative settings.
In palliative situations, people are often confronted with existential questions and may experience anxiety and depressive symptoms. Experiences in altered states of consciousness are often particularly helpful here. In ketamine-augmented psychotherapy, such experiences can occur in a safe manner and with psychotherapeutic guidance and integration. Scientific studies have shown that this not only reduces depressive symptoms and anxiety, but also enables people to develop a different, more positive way of dealing with their life situations (2).
Do you suffer from depression? In our clinic in Berlin, we use ketamine therapy for depression in combination with psychotherapy. You can find our contact information here…
Published on 05.05.2021
