Agoura Hills, CA – BNI Clinics published a blog post educating the public on determining if ketamine therapy is the right fit for someone and the questions that should be asked to a doctor. At high doses, ketamine is an anesthetic, but at lower doses, it provides relief from mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is typically given intravenously with effects felt very quickly. When ketamine therapy is used, it is also accompanied with talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the effects do not last long-term on their own.
“A benefit of ketamine therapy is its fast-acting nature. It is especially useful for individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, with half of the participants in one study noticing a significant decline in these impulses. It provides relief far sooner than anti-depressants, which often take weeks to take effect. Sometimes, severe depression will not respond to medication at all, but it will respond to ketamine,” the blog post states.
While ketamine has its benefits, there are also drawbacks, such as it not being FDA-approved at this time. This means that most insurance companies will not pay for it, making treatment expensive. It also requires follow-up treatments to sustain long-term results. Physical side effects of a raised blood pressure and heart rate might make it unsuitable for some people and it might worsen symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia.
There are several factors that could help someone know if ketamine therapy is right for them. One of those factors is if they have treatment-resistent depression. To know this, a person must have tried other treatment options only to experience persistent and severe symptoms. Also, the presence of suicidal ideation can be an indication that ketamine therapy might be helpful as it has been shown to reduce those tendencies. It can also help with concerns with chronic pain and anxiety, though it is most commonly used for treatment-resistant depression.
Like with starting many types of treatment, it is important to discuss them with a doctor first and ask them if they believe it is the right choice. These might include questions that ask about side effects from ketamine or if any medical conditions or medications might result in treatment being an unsafe choice. They can also include questions that ask about frequency or length of the therapy. It is also important to ask about a doctor’s experience with ketamine and who is going to administer their treatment and what that person’s experience is. Many people might also ask about how long until improvements are seen and what follow up sessions are required. A person’s doctor will be able to answer any questions they are curious or concerned about no matter what it is. It is always better to ask especially when it comes to new treatment modalities.
“Ketamine therapy isn’t for everyone, but if you and your doctor decide it’s a good option for you, your next step is finding the right provider. They could play a significant role in your mental health journey,” the blog post continues.
BNI Clinics provides ketamine therapy and other services in the Los Angeles area. Their services extend to multiple age groups from children to older adults.Their practice is owned and operated by expert psychiatrists who walk alongside their clients every step of their mental health journey from diagnosis to medication management and beyond. They will be able to provide professional answers to any questions someone might have when it comes to starting ketamine therapy.
Visit their website or call them at 310-691-5005 to learn more.
BNI Clinics: Science-based, evidence-backed, compassion-led.
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For more information about BNI Clinics, contact the company here:
BNI Clinics
Maria Sarkisian
310-691-5005
maria@bnitreatment.com
28038 Dorothy Dr Ste#200
Agoura Hills, CA, 91301
