Depression is a serious mental health issue that should be addressed as soon as possible. People with this mental health condition should seek help from professionals who can diagnose them and offer treatments to improve their mental health.
Depression treatment in the last couple of years has taken a positive turn, especially as more research is being conducted on the subject. One of the breakthroughs of such research is the discovery of depression solutions with ketamine. Ketamine treatment therapy is described as one of the best discoveries in treating depression and related issues. While the treatment has received applause from practitioners and patients, some patients may not experience desired results due to some factors.
This article explores the 7 reasons your ketamine treatments aren’t working.
1: Drug Interaction
Medications are known to contain active ingredients that drive desired changes. However, these active ingredients may be amplified or suppressed within the host’s body due to the presence of another active ingredient.
Drug interaction is the relationship between one or more active ingredients in the body. Patients subject to ketamine treatment may be experiencing less than optimal results or none due to other medications they are on. If such medications have a negative interaction, the ketamine treatment may not work.
Patients subject to ketamine treatment need to consult with their treatment provider on other medications they are using. Medications like benzodiazepines and lamotrigine should be reported to treatment providers. This can significantly impact the outcome and effectiveness of their treatment.
2: Dosage
Dosage is an important part of medication and medication use. The appropriate dosage is a calculated volume expected to deliver a measured response within the patient. However, taking less than optimal dosage can mean no progress or ineffective treatment. On the other hand, an overdose can cause negative reactions in the body, especially if the body is unable to handle such a load.
With ketamine treatment, you don’t want too much or too little. Getting a perfect dosage balance can deliver the much-needed result to improve your mood and overall mental health.
3: Preparation
Many ketamine treatment clinics do not emphasize preparation as much as they should. Preparation helps the patient remain receptive to the treatment and treatment experience.
Patients should be properly prepared for treatment by feeding their minds with positive thoughts and affirmations. This can also mean avoiding negative thoughts and experiences before the treatment therapy.
Clinics and treatment providers should have a preparation plan to keep their patients positive and healthy in the build-up to the ketamine treatment. This can help them to further reinforce positive thoughts and ultimately boost their treatment experience and outcome.
4: Environment And Setting
Ketamine treatment is affected by both intrinsic and external factors. While treatment providers want to prepare a positive experience for their patients, patients must also be introduced to a calming and relaxing treatment environment.
Your ketamine treatment may not show desired results because the patient isn’t in the right setting. Treatment experiences and outcomes can be improved by exploring the right setting where patients are comfortable and calm. This can be induced by learning more about each patient and introducing props that improve their comfort and relaxation while inspiring and reinforcing positive thoughts.
The key is to create the right state of consciousness during the treatment.
5: Integration
Most people think ketamine treatment ends after the session ends. This is untrue. At the end of each session, integration ensures that the patient is doing their homework when alone and with their thoughts.
Integration may sometimes mean taking a break from regular lifestyle choices or actions. It could also mean taking up new and positive hobbies, exploring more, and setting new positive goals. Patients can benefit from exploring positive actions that improve their feeling of self-accomplishment.
6: Number Of Sessions
Ketamine treatment is a tailored experience. This means that some people respond faster while others take some time to acclimatize and respond. Patients may be experiencing delayed results due to a low number of sessions.
It is important to experience as many sessions as possible and focus on the outcomes of those sessions to gauge the treatment’s effectiveness.
7: Ketamine Treatment Is Not For Everyone
Similar to other treatment therapies, ketamine treatment is not for everyone. Some people do not just respond favorably to this treatment.
Statistically, studies have shown that about 30 to 40% of patients do not respond to ketamine treatment. This means that they may be better suited to other treatment plans and approaches.
You may need to consider other depression treatment solutions if you have had over six ketamine treatment sessions without results.
