What causes PTSD?
PTSD occurs after a traumatic or dangerous event. You may develop PTSD after you directly experience the event, witness it, or learn that a friend or family member lived through the trauma.
The types of trauma that frequently cause PTSD include:
- Combat duty
- Gun violence
- Robbery
- Severe accident
- Sexual or physical assault
- Natural or man-made disaster
- Death of a loved one
Anyone who goes through a traumatic event has feelings of fear or anxiety that last for a short time. When you have PTSD, your symptoms last longer than a month.
What symptoms develop due to PTSD?
PTSD causes significant anxiety and other symptoms that interfere with daily life. In addition to anxiety, you may:
Have flashbacks or dreams about the event
- Feel irritable or angry
- Be easily startled
- Feel depressed
- Have insomnia
- Blame yourself for the incident
- Avoid people and places that remind you of the event
The recurring symptoms of PTSD are associated with a high rate of disability, making it hard to hold down a job or have a social life.
How is PTSD treated?
Mental health professionals often prescribe medications to treat the symptoms associated with PTSD, such as depression. You may also receive psychotherapy to help you deal with your memories and emotions.
Unfortunately, it’s estimated that 33% of patients don’t improve with conventional treatments. Dr. Oliver offers the option of ketamine infusion therapy for patients whose PTSD symptoms persist.
How does ketamine infusion therapy treat PTSD?
At its normal dose, ketamine is used for anesthesia during surgery. When you receive a sub-anesthetic dose, ketamine can effectively treat PTSD, as well as mental health conditions that accompany PTSD, such as depression and anxiety.
Ketamine normalizes levels of a brain chemical called glutamate that regulates the stress and anxiety caused by PTSD. The type of ongoing stress caused by PTSD leads to impaired nerve communication. Ketamine can repair that problem, which, in turn, helps relieve your symptoms.
What should I expect during ketamine therapy?
Dr. Oliver administers ketamine therapy in the office using an intravenous (IV) infusion. You can simply relax while your heart rate and blood pressure are continuously monitored by the team.
To achieve optimal results, you need a series of sessions, typically six infusions, over two to three weeks. You may need occasional maintenance sessions, depending on how long your results last.
If you need help with PTSD, call MindPeace Clinics or schedule an initial consultation online.
