Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a term most commonly used in clinical psychiatry to describe cases of depressive disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorders, that do not respond adequately to at least two antidepressants.
In the last 20 years, research has consistently shown that low doses of ketamine, administered intravenously, can rapidly relieve depressive symptoms in patients whose depression has been otherwise untreatable.
ECT feels about as good as it sounds. Usually, this therapy consists of a patient receiving brief electrical pulses or shocks over the scalp while thankfully being completely under anesthesia, usually every other day for a week or two.
But what more and more patients and clinicians are coming to discover is that Ketamine infusions are showing lots of promise as the go-to therapy to treatment-resistant depression.
Read on to discover the differences and benefits of ECT and Ketamine infusions as they pertain to improving or curing treatment-resistant depression.
If you or someone you know has experienced ECT therapy with no improvement or are looking to try other effective depression treatment avenues prior to resorting to ECT therapy, click below and learn more about Ketamine infusions to improve or treat your depressive symptoms.
Our staff at NeuroMend recognize that every patient is unique and that individual responses to ketamine infusions will vary.
Some patients may experience immense relief after one infusion, while others may notice their depressive symptoms subside days or weeks following treatment. Your individual symptoms, needs, and goals of care will determine your course of treatment.
Ketamine infusion treatment at NeuroMend will initially consist of six infusions over the course of twelve days. Within this time frame, our team will work with you to monitor the efficacy of the treatment, provide you with support, and collaborate with your primary mental health provider to assist you in meeting your goals.
Following your initial treatment, our mental health specialist will follow up with you and your primary mental health provider to monitor your depressive symptoms and determine your need for maintenance infusions. Ask us about CBD and Ketamine.
