Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Depression Treatment in Alexandria, VA
Ketamine, first developed and approved by the FDA as an anesthetic, is a promising new innovation in the field of depression treatment. Ketamine is what some doctors are calling the biggest breakthrough in depression treatment in decades. When infused at a low dose into the bloodstream, research shows that Ketamine may be up to 80% effective at providing relief for depression symptoms.
How Does Ketamine Help Depression?
Unlike classic antidepressants, ketamine affects the nerve signaling that occurs via the glutamate system, but it is unclear exactly how the antidepressant effect is mediated. When the medicine has an effect, it relieves depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts very quickly.
What Are The Different Types of Depression?
Depression is a debilitating mental disorder that brings feelings of intense sadness and isolation. According to NIMH (The National Institute of Mental Health), somewhere around 16 million American adults suffer from at least one major depressive episode in any given year.
Unfortunately, many suffering from depression feel incredibly isolated and decide not to seek treatment. While depression usually can not be “cured” with treatment, the symptoms can be managed.
Depression itself varies greatly from case to case. Some people may suffer from persistent depression, while others may only get it temporarily or episodically. There is a litany of different versions of depression, each with their own symptoms and triggers.
Some of the typical diagnoses of depressive disorders may include:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
Also known as clinical depression or unipolar depression. The most common form of depression. It can be just a single episode, but some people may experience it periodically throughout their lives.
Postpartum Depression:
A type of depression usually brought on by the hormonal shifts women experience the months or year following childbirth.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
This type of depression is caused by a change in the circadian rhythm of the body, usually bringing on depression during a specific season of the year.
Situational Depression:
While the symptoms are much like major depressive disorder, this is depression brought on by a specific event, such as the death of a loved one or a life-threatening event.
Persistent Depression:
Also known as dysthymia or chronic depression, this is depression that can affect sufferers for two years or more.
Manic Depression/Bipolar Disorder:
Characterized by periods of mania alternating with periods of intense depression.
What Are The Symptoms of Depression?
Those suffering from depression will have trouble functioning in their daily life and may fall behind at work or school. Depression may also affect personal relationships and physical health. That said, the symptoms of depression can sometimes be greatly different between different cases.
The common symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Sadness or melancholy
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Change in eating or sleeping patterns
- Trouble concentrating
- Fatigue or lack of energy
Depression also has a risk factor for developing other problems, such as higher rates of chronic disease. Depression tends to also bring an increased risk of both blood clots and more general heart disease. Some may even turn to substance abuse in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of depression.
What Is Clinical Depression?
Clinical depression sometimes referred to as major depressive disorder, is usually diagnosed when someone is suffering from depression that has persisted for two weeks or more and experiences the symptoms throughout most of the day.
Usually marked by disinterest in hobbies and persistent sadness, which then leads to negative changes in diet, concentration, hygiene, and overall behavior.
Millions of people suffer from depression every year. You should feel no shame in deciding to find treatment.
Symptoms of Clinical Depression
- Fatigue
- Changes in sleep pattern
- Weight fluctuations
- Mental fog
- Agitation
- Loss of sexual interest
What Causes Clinical Depression?
Genetics:
Clinical depression can pass through genetics from relatives who also suffered from depression.
Brain Signals:
Neurotransmitters within the brain may not be responding to how they should. This miscommunication causes feelings of depression to intensify.
Chemical Imbalances:
Research shows that the chemical structure of the brain is wired differently in those with clinical depression.
Hormonal Irregularities:
Clinical depression is sometimes triggered by the hormones in the body is unbalanced. Some bodily changes (like pregnancy, thyroid problems, or menopause) may be responsible for these irregularities.
Is Ketamine Treatment Right For You?
Are you ready to start living and loving life again? Have other medications and treatments failed to provide the relief you need? Then you might be a good candidate for our ketamine Infusions for depression treatment in Alexandria, VA.