Perhaps we should start with a basic definition of what ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is before you consider it as a treatment option. Scientific and medically it’s described as:
“Ketamine is a dissociative injected anesthetic (blocks sensory perception) that has been available by prescription in the U.S. since the 1970s for human and veterinary uses. Esketamine (Spravato), the S-enantiomer of racemic ketamine, was approved in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression and is approved for use in depressed patients with acute suicidal ideation or behavior.” Source: Drugs.com
What That Means & How it Relates to Therapy
Because it is a short-acting anesthetic that blocks neurotransmitters, it opens your mind’s pathways. In doing so, it allows a different pattern of thinking. Invoking this interruption can lead to a change in your emotional, mental, and even physical well-being. It is the changes in one’s mental and emotional state that make it valuable in ketamine-assisted therapy. It is crucial that the process of administration be monitored to ensure you receive the proper dosage. You should also report exactly how you feel about the treatments, if they are helpful, and if there are any side effects.
Achieving optimal wellness would incorporate psychotherapy in conjunction with ketamine-assisted therapy. It’s best to discuss the details of your specific situation with your provider to determine if the ketamine-assisted psychotherapy method of treatment would be appropriate for you.
Certain Mental Health Issues Aren’t Easily Tackled Through Traditional Talk-Therapy
If you have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma, or severe anxiety, you may have tried other types of therapy in the past. Ketamine-assisted therapy has proven to be a more effective treatment for some issues. Taconic Psychiatry is the only ketamine-assisted psychotherapy office in Vermont. Interested in learning more about this particular treatment? Contact us here to schedule an appointment, or call (802) 768-9136 today!
