If you’ve experienced trauma in the past, it can seriously affect many aspects of your life for years to come. Whether you’re suffering from PTSD or one of the many other types of trauma-related disorders, you may struggle simply to live your life on a day-to-day basis. The good news is that there are many options for treating trauma. One increasingly popular option is ketamine treatment—an innovative therapy that has been proven effective in lessening the symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders.
What is Trauma?
Trauma, simply put, is a person’s response to a disturbing event. These events may be physically violent, like war, rape, or a serious accident, but many seemingly less disturbing events can cause trauma as well. After undergoing a traumatic event, a person may experience shock and have difficulty returning to normal. For many people, this leads to longer-term symptoms, such as flashbacks, erratic behavior, depression, and difficulty interacting with other people.
There are numerous types of trauma-related disorders. One of the most common is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD affects about eight million U.S. adults each year and results in behavioral changes, intrusive thoughts, and cognitive disturbances. Other common types of trauma-related disorders are acute stress disorder (ASD), a more temporary version of PTSD; secondhand trauma, which results from watching other people experiencing trauma and can lead to feelings of hopelessness; and adjustment disorders, in which the victim has difficulty coping with sudden stressful life changes.
The Link Between Ketamine and Trauma-Related Disorders
Ketamine has been used to treat PTSD since the 1970s, but became much more common starting in the ‘90s. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. This means that it eases pain while also producing visual and auditory distortion. In many ways, it acts similarly to an antidepressant. Like certain antidepressants, ketamine blocks the activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain, thus reducing the symptoms of PTSD. It also is believed to repair the brain’s neural pathways, allowing the brain to function better and relieve intense emotions and depression.
When taken clinically, ketamine is administered via IV—supervised by a trained medical professional. It is indicated for a variety of mental and physical disorders, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and PTSD. Ketamine treatment is an especially effective option for people who have tried other therapies, such as antidepressants, without effect. Ketamine works rapidly, providing quick relief for people suffering from PTSD or other trauma-related disorders.
Contact Bluewater Psychiatry
If you have any questions about ketamine treatment or if you wish to schedule an appointment, do not hesitate to contact Bluewater Psychiatry. Fill out the form below and get started feeling like yourself again.