Month: October 2020

Did Ketamine Therapy Help Your Bipolar Disorder?

Growing numbers of people in the UK have been able to access ketamine treatment for depression and bipolar disorder in the UK. Many people have found it to be a fast and effective treatment during their depressive episodes.

How Does Ketamine Help with Bipolar Disorder?

Ketamine is a fairly new treatment for bipolar disorder so we are still learning about the ways that it can affect our brains. The main effect of ketamine is that it binds to a particular receptor in our brains, which triggers the activation of certain molecules that enables our neurones to send signals to each other. However, other possible effects are also being investigated that may explain some of the benefits that ketamine can have for bipolar disorder.

Ketamine treatment is believed to be most effective for the depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. It has proven to be particularly fast and effective at relieving suicidal thoughts in people with depression or bipolar disorder. It can also help with symptoms such as anger and anxiety that some people can experience as part of their bipolar disorder. Ketamine can have a dramatic impact on your mood and thought patterns so it can play a big role in your bipolar disorder treatment.

Benefits of Ketamine for Bipolar Disorder

Research has shown that ketamine can help with depressive symptoms, including those experienced as part of bipolar disorder. Ketamine treatment offers some significant advantages as a treatment for bipolar disorder that could make it a good choice for you:

  • Ketamine treatment can be effective for some people who haven’t responded to other types of medication for bipolar disorder. It may be right for you if you have tried other treatments and haven’t found them helpful.
  • The effects of ketamine are much faster than those of other medications such as antidepressants. You may be able to feel the effects right after your first treatment and some people will notice an improvement in their symptoms within minutes or hours of the treatment session.
  • Side effects are rare when ketamine is delivered under safe and controlled conditions in a clinic. A low dose is used during medical infusions and you will be carefully monitored during and after the treatment. Ketamine is given as an intravenous infusion at the clinic, so you will be carefully supervised and cared for while you are taking the medication.

However, it is important to remember that medications such as ketamine can affect everyone differently. As with the other treatments that we provide for bipolar disorder, ketamine can be very effective for some people but isn’t always the best fit for everyone. Since ketamine is such a new treatment and we are still learning about it, your doctor might recommend trying some other treatment options first. If these don’t work for you, then ketamine could be a good option as part of your treatment plan. Make an appointment at the North London Psychiatry Practice to learn more about ketamine treatment and whether it could help with your bipolar disorder.

How is Ketamine Used for Depression?

Ketamine was originally developed as an anaesthetic but it has more recently shown promise for the treatment of certain mental health disorders, particularly depression. Treatments based on ketamine are now available in the UK through private clinics but many patients have questions about this new option for treating depression.

How Does Ketamine Help with Depression?

The way that ketamine affects the brain isn’t fully understood, but its effectiveness as a treatment for depression has been proven by clinical trials. It is thought that ketamine binds to a specific type of receptor in the brain, triggering a chain of effects that leads to the release of signalling molecules that help change our mood and thought patterns. Ketamine could help the neurons in our brains to communicate better with each other. Unlike antidepressants, which can take several weeks to start working, the effects of ketamine treatment can be apparent right away.

What Happens During Ketamine Treatment?

Ketamine is given as an intravenous infusion, which means you will need to come into the clinic to have the medication. You will be asked to lie down and make yourself comfortable on a bed. A small needle will then be inserted into a vein on the back of your hand. The medication will be slowly pumped into your bloodstream through this needle. The treatment usually takes about 40 minutes so it can help to bring some relaxing music and headphones with you. Wearing an eye mask can also help as you should try to relax as much as possible during the treatment. You may feel a bit unsteady afterwards, but you will be able to recover in the calm clinic environment.

You will need to be closely monitored while you are undergoing the treatment so that we can be sure you are responding well. If you do benefit from ketamine, then you may need to come in regularly for additional treatments at the clinic every few weeks. A typical course of treatment might require 6-8 infusions, which will be given every 2-4 weeks.

Who Should Have Ketamine for Depression?

Ketamine can be an effective treatment for depression. It has proven to be particularly effective for people with severe depression and people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Some people who have depression with anxiety have also benefitted from ketamine treatment. However, as with other medications, ketamine isn’t the right option for everyone. Ketamine is still a very new treatment for depression so we have to take extra care to ensure it safe and effective for you. Some people can find the experience overwhelming as ketamine can trigger feelings of dissociation, so you may decide that it is not right for you.

Ketamine will usually only be recommended for depression if other treatments haven’t been able to help you. You may also benefit from other approaches such as lifestyle changes and therapy alongside your medication.

If you have any questions about how ketamine is used for depression then you can make an appointment to talk to your doctor at the North London Psychiatry Practice.