PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition in which a person struggles with the inability to forget or process a traumatic instance from the past. It’s a condition categorized by extreme distress, depression, and sometimes even suicidal ideation. Although therapy seems to show positive results in many cases of PTSD, the presence of treatment-resistant PTSD poses a huge risk for those that require an alternative solution to this issue. Ketamine therapy is an option worth exploring. Continue reading to learn more about its workability and why it’s essential to look into alternative treatments;
The Causes Behind Post-Traumatic Stress
Most of us tackle difficult situations and tragic occurrences in varying manners. Some usually find it harder to cope with extremely intense circumstances, which can then result in them harboring undealt trauma resulting from that situation. Thus, post-traumatic stress disorder is an anomaly resulting from the trauma caused by a dangerous, impactful, life-altering situation.
The probability of a person experiencing PTSD amplifies further if they’re already tackling an anxiety disorder or any other psychological condition that amplifies their paranoia.
Symptoms of PTSD
Before we focus on the impact of ketamine on PTSD symptoms, we should take a look at some of these noteworthy symptoms. Someone experiencing PTSD would:
- Try and avoid situations in which they can be triggered. For instance: skipping a social event if you know your abuser might actually be in attendance.
- Struggle with nightmares.
- Struggle while working under stressful situations.
- Experience nausea or discomfort while thinking or talking about their past.
- Refuse to talk about a traumatic memory.
- Try to use unhealthy coping mechanisms to bury the pain or memories of what happened to them; alcoholism, recreational drug use, etc.
- Suffer from insomnia or any other sleeping disorder.
- Get easily startled by someone or something.
Ketamine: How Does It Function?
Ketamine has been famous in the past due to its analgesic properties and usage during the Vietnam War in the 1970s. Its antidepressant properties are also worth mentioning for those whole are dealing with PTSD, treatment-resistant depression as well as suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation is a common thought for those who have been tackling post-traumatic stress for a while, and recent studies show ketamine’s positive influence on people struggling with it.
Long-term exposure to depression and trauma can lead to damaged synapses. Once ketamine enters your bloodstream, your brain gets exposed to it, ultimately leading to the regrowth of broken synapses. Ketamine also reactivates the neurotransmitters responsible for mood regulation in our body. These neurotransmitters are called glutamate and in case of PTSD or depression get weakened prompting other nerve cells into losing the vigor they once possessed. The reactivation of synapses and rejuvenation of glutamate as a result of ketamine, can normalize the user’s brain activity yet again. Consequently, providing relief from depression and the stressed resulting from past trauma. You can book a consultation with NTX now to learn more about ketamine infusion.
Ketamine & PTSD: Why Should You Choose It?
Barely escaping a dangerous situation and living with undealt trauma can leave an everlasting impact on a person’s psyche. Someone who has dealt with a traumatic event in the past can never truly escape it without seeking treatment. Intrusive thoughts are a common occurrence in people who have PTSD. An individual dealing with them can have and get triggered by the flashing memories of that event. The stress caused by this can even result in a loss of appetite and sometimes sleep disorders.
