How Ketamine Works for PTSD

One of the most difficult mental health conditions to treat is probably post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Every patient has their own unique trauma, and needs a tailored plan to help them recover. Most treatment plans for PTSD take weeks or months to manifest any effects. However, ketamine therapy can deliver rapid PTSD relief and help you regain control of your life.

At Ketalink Ketamine Center in Levittown, New York, our team of ketamine infusion specialists led by Dr. Hau Nguyen delivers ketamine infusions for PTSD in a comfortable setting with guaranteed discretion.

PTSD symptoms

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder vary from person to person and can be affected by the type of trauma they suffered. While people associate PTSD with shell-shocked war veterans, other trauma such as a car crash, the loss of a loved one, or domestic/sexual abuse can also cause symptoms.

There are four main categories of PTSD symptoms:

• Intrusive memories (unwillingly reliving your trauma)
• Avoidance (staying away from things that remind you of your trauma) 
• Reactivity (having strong reactions when confronted with memories of your trauma)
• Mood disorder and/or depression (negative thoughts and mood swings) 

Psychotherapy can help patients learn coping methods and work through their trauma. However, some physical and mental reactions to PTSD can be harder to treat. Ketamine infusion therapy can have a positive effect on both your physical and mental health, but it’s most useful when implemented alongside additional treatments for PTSD, like psychotherapy.

What to expect from ketamine therapy

Ketamine was originally used by surgeons as a highly effective general anesthetic. Psychiatrist researchers then discovered ketamine’s potential for success in patients with treatment-resistant depression. From there research expanded to include additional mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. Most people enter a relaxed, sleep-like state during their treatment. We’ll make sure you are comfortable and set up a slow IV drip. Most people say they quickly become very calm, and even seem to doze a bit, drifting and relaxed. A team member will sit with you to ensure your experience is consistently calm and peaceful.

Afterwards, you may find you are able to manage your PTSD reactions more effectively, and that your other PTSD treatment works better. You’ll typically only need a few treatments for the ketamine to “reset” how you think, so you can overcome negative thought and behavior patterns.

Struggling with PTSD? Dr. Nguyen and the team at Ketalink Ketamine Center can help you learn more and determine if infusion therapy is right for you. Schedule a consultation by calling 516-703-4937 or requesting an appointment online today.