Depression is sometimes dubbed an invisible disease. But the reality is, depression is a very common mental health disorder. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 265 million people suffer from depression. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, changes to sleeping and eating habits, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. In fact, depression is one of the leading causes of disability in America.
Because depression can impact your quality of life, treatment is essential for feeling like yourself again. There are many different types of treatments, including antidepressants and talk therapy. But sometimes, depression can be tricky to overcome. That’s why Dr. Hadi Estakhri, a psychiatrist at Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health in Newport Beach, California, offers personalized treatment plans which may include ketamine therapy.
To learn more about the mental and physical health benefits of ketamine therapy, continue reading.
Ketamine was initially developed in the 1950s as an anesthetic and was frequently used on the battlefields. However, its uses don’t stop as an anesthetic. Ketamine is now being used as a treatment for hard-to-treat cases of depression. There are two types of ketamine treatments: IV infusions or nasal sprays. We offer both types of treatments, but Dr. E can help determine which option is best for you.
As a treatment for depression, ketamine therapy can:
One of the benefits of ketamine therapy is that these effects are typically fast-acting, and most patients see improvements within one to three infusion sessions.
According to experts at Harvard Health, ketamine can also improve your physical health. For example, ketamine infusions are known to reduce the body’s signals for inflammation and improve communication with the brain.
In addition, ketamine therapy may help your body in other ways too. For instance, some individuals might find their eating habits change during severe bouts of depression — either eating too much or not eating enough. Easing the symptoms of depression can help ease these symptoms too, which means you can get back on track with following a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Do you already have a depression diagnosis? Do you need an official diagnosis? Request an appointment with Dr. Estakhri. He can help you learn more about ketamine therapy, so you can start feeling better. You can call our Newport Beach, California office at 949-258-7135 or schedule an appointment via our website.
