Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is characterized by extreme mood swings between mania and depression. Traditionally, it has been treated with three types of medications: antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants. We offer a new approach called ketamine-assisted therapy.
Ketamine has been used in medicine for pain relief, and research has demonstrated that ketamine infusions are effective for various mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. This therapy can help manage bipolar disorder symptoms and is beneficial for cases that do not respond to other treatments.
Ketamine therapy is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety. It quickly targets receptors in the brain, helping to manage stress and trauma-related memories. Ketamine can address various anxiety disorders, including:
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): fear of judgment in social situations.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): persistent worry about issues like money, family, and health.
PTSD: severe anxiety and intrusive thoughts following a traumatic event.
Simple Phobias: intense fear of specific things, like blood or flying.
Panic Disorder: frequent panic attacks with symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and sweating.
Ketamine has been used in medicine for a long time as an analgesic, but its use for treating anxiety is a newer development. Still, research supports the effectiveness of ketamine for anxiety. According to Psychiatry Advisor, ketamine is described as “a promising novel therapy for anxiety,” and the CEO of the Centers of Psychiatric Excellence (COPE) mentions that “Ketamine can play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders.” Studies, such as those published in Neuropsychopharmacology, show that patients with social anxiety disorder “were significantly more likely to exhibit a treatment response after ketamine infusion relative to placebo,” indicating that ketamine therapy is effective.
Many individuals notice improvements within a day following ketamine infusions, especially compared to the weeks or months it can take for SSRIs to be effective. Even those who have not found relief from other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mentalization-based therapy (MBT), can experience a reduction in anxiety symptoms with ketamine therapy. However, since anxiety disorders can vary greatly, ketamine infusions should be part of a personalized treatment plan for each patient — that’s how we operate. At our ketamine therapy clinic in Gainesville, FL, we believe every individual deserves a tailored approach to their mental and physical health.
