
Ketamine for Anxiety Relief
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Common symptoms of anxiety include feeling nervous, excessive worrying, or restlessness having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, fatigue, trouble concentrating, disrupted sleep, difficulty controlling worries, and having to avoid things that trigger the anxiety.
Untreated anxiety can lead to poor physical health outcomes, in some cases can trigger episodes of depression and thoughts about suicide, substance misuse, social isolation, headaches and chronic pain, digestive problems, and overall poor quality of life.
Traditional Treatments for Anxiety
Traditional treatment for anxiety typically involves oral antidepressant medications such as SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, citalopram, paroxetine), or SNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine). Additional treatment options for anxiety may include antihistamine agents (hydroxyzine), buspirone, gabapentin, and in some cases neuroleptic/antipsychotic medications. Unfortunately, if someone does not respond to the first trial of an antidepressant, the chance of successfully controlling the anxiety falls off precipitously with each additional oral antidepressant trial.
Anxiety disorders are a prevalent mental health concern that can significantly impact an individual's daily life. They involve physical and emotional states of hyperarousal that can affect one's functioning, making it challenging to complete everyday tasks and engage in meaningful activities. There are several different types of anxiety disorders, each with its unique symptoms and challenges. These include generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Understanding the nuances of each disorder can be crucial in identifying the right treatment approach.
How Ketamine Treats Anxiety
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Ketamine treatment for anxiety works by rapidly acting on glutamate – a neurotransmitter that is involved in neuroplasticity, memory, learning, mood regulation, and anxiety regulation.
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Research studies show that ketamine treatment for anxiety is a safe and effective with both short-term and long-term through maintenance therapy.
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Ketamine for anxiety is a newer and innovative treatment option that works in individuals even when more traditional oral antidepressants have failed to provide relief.