Anxiety is a common emotion that most people feel at one time or another. But for some people, it can make even the most minor decisions in life seem difficult. Some first start showing symptoms as a child, a stage that also makes it easy to overlook. An anxious child might be writing and misspell a word, for example. They might then begin to hold their breath, rub their knuckles on the chair, and start to tremble. As they age, this anxiety disorder will continue grow and disrupt life in various—and more costly— ways. It is important to know that facing the challenges that an anxiety disorder presents can lead to immense personal growth.
Anxiety disorders are often accompanied by intense physical symptoms. These can be triggered by events at school, relationships, work performance, and social interactions.
When an anxiety sufferer feels an attack coming on, they may isolate themselves and try to work through the episode in a bathroom or some private area. They may experience migraines, nausea, fatigue, or an overall depressive mood. To make it worse, a sense of shame can also go along with the symptoms and coping habits that develop over time. The person may experience intrusive thoughts that undermine their own abilities. Because they want to come across as someone who is strong and intelligent, they feel they must keep their anxiety hidden from everyone to appear completely normal.
Slowly, however, these feelings become insuppressible. It is at this point someone may ask for help. The more open they become about their anxiety, the more accessible the treatments become for controlling it. Medications such as biofeedback, and/or acupuncture may help decrease the physical symptoms. Sometimes, though, these by themselves are not enough. Ketamine is an adjunctive therapy that can bolster your current treatments. It can also help change your mindset and begin the process of changing the relationship with your anxiety disorder.
Ketamine works by triggering different systems in your brain. It manipulates the neurotransmitter glutamate, the amino acid that causes the neurons in the brain to communicate with one another, and without which the brain essentially shuts down.
People with anxiety disorder are often treated with a generic antidepressant, such as an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor), an SNRI (Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor), or a Benzodiazepine. In those who do not respond to one of these therapies, Ketamine is the possible avenue for help. Current practice indicates that after 6 to 12 weeks of initiating treatment with traditional antidepressants, dendritic growth and increased synaptic connections occur (see diagram).
With Ketamine, however, these connections can occur within 24 hours after the infusion. Research has shown Ketamine to be effective with an array of anxiety disorders, including SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) GAD (General Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Intravenous Ketamine therapy has shown to be a highly effective treatment for people suffering from anxiety disorder. The relief the therapy can bring occurs quickly and without many of the negative side effects some prescription medications can cause. The Ketamine infusion experience itself is often described as calming and peaceful.
Unlike prescription drugs that may take weeks to work, ketamine infusions are administered on a short schedule until symptoms subside. Most patients suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders notice relief from their symptoms about midway in the recommended 7 infusion regime. People receiving Ketamine therapy may also reduce dependency on prescription drugs. They may find more energy for living or the ability to make the lifestyle changes necessary to keep anxiety at bay.
Southern Ketamine Clinics
1212 Hendersonville Rd | Asheville | NC 28803
828-407-6631
Southern Ketamine Clinics
2768 Georgia Rd | Franklin | NC 28734
828-407-6631