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Depression

7 Uses for Ketamine Therapy

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7 uses for Ketamine therapy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ketamine for limited use as a general anesthetic, initially used in the 1960s and 1970s. Ketamine was the go-to anesthesia for treating wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Around this same time, researchers were discovering other uses for Ketamine. However, as the drug became popular among recreational users, President Nixon banned it and classified it as a schedule III narcotic. Uses for Ketamine in Mental Health In recent years, Ketamine has been making a comeback in the mental health industry. Psychiatrists can administer Ketamine as an off-label prescription in their clinic. No take-home prescriptions are allowed, however. Esketamine, a nasal spray, and an intravenous drip are the two most common treatment methods. The more time that passes and the more data gathered, the uses for Ketamine are expanding. Below are seven examples. 1. Severe Depression Ketamine is currently an effective treatment for severe depression. If …

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Using Ketamine Infusion for Depression

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Using Ketamine infusion for depression

Depression affects everyone, whether you have been diagnosed with depression or know someone who struggles. In some cases, people might experience treatment-resistant depression–leading to alternative therapies to find relief, such as Ketamine infusion for depression. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders defines depression as experiencing a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, persistent low mood, appetite changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, concentration and memory problems, and low self-esteem for at least two weeks. In America, more than 17 million people experience depression. It affects more women than men, but that may be because women seek help for their symptoms more than men do. Depression is more severe in adolescents and young adults, ages 12 to 24, increasing among college students. Older persons have fewer depression episodes. What Causes Depression? There is not a single factor that leads to depression. Instead, multiple risk factors lead to the manifestation of …

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Signs of High Functioning Depression

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Signs of high functioning depression

Depression affects everyone differently. For some, it is debilitating, making it hard to get out of bed each day. Some days are spent in bed. For others, depression can be seasonal. The seasonal affective disorder occurs during certain seasons throughout the year. For most, it occurs during the winter months, when there is less sunshine and colder weather. As Spring arrives, the depressive symptoms fade. However, another type of depression is high functioning. So what makes high functioning depression unique, and what are the signs of high functioning depression? By looking at someone with high functioning depression, you may think they are happy and living their best life. They may not exhibit outward signs of depression as you know it. What Is High Functioning Depression? The clinical name for high functioning depression is persistent depressive disorder (PDD). Or at least that is the type most closely related to the symptoms of high …

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Can Alcohol Cause Depression and Loneliness?

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Can alcohol cause depression and loneliness

Can alcohol cause depression and loneliness? While the short answer is yes, the ways alcohol affects an individual’s mental health varies and can be complicated. Alcohol Affects Mental Health Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. When you consume alcohol, it enters your bloodstream through the digestive system and quickly travels to the brain. As alcohol enters the brain, it changes how your brain functions. Alcohol crosses the blood-brain barrier very easily and immediately sedates primary functions such as talking, walking, and decision-making. It slows down everything from your thoughts to your movements and reactions. The more alcohol you consume, the stronger the sedative effects. How Can Alcohol Cause Depression and Loneliness? Loneliness is an emotion defined by a craving for social connectedness, for human contact and interactions. Loneliness can often be relieved once you make a human connection. It can be a symptom of a more significant mental health problem, like …

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