Breakthrough Ketamine Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in the Eastern Shore – Salisbury, MD.
Ketamine infusion therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a breakthrough treatment modality that is changing the way in which OCD and other mental health conditions are treated. While traditional medications such as Prozac might take months to reach therapeutic levels and have any effects on the symptoms of OCD, ketamine infusion delivers fast, effective and safe results. Some clients experience relief of their symptoms after the first infusion, while others might experience an improvement after receiving more infusions, as it works differently in different people.
Looking for an Alternative Treatment Approach for OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by the presence of repetitive behaviors and intrusive thoughts, that can be debilitating, interfering with a person’s life, relationships, and employment. Ketamine infusion therapy has been showing positive results in alleviating the symptoms of OCD in individuals who tried traditional medications, without much success. Intravenous ketamine is a rapid, safe, and effective treatment approach, that is delivered through a series of sessions (6), followed by maintenance sessions/infusions over the year.
What is Ketamine and how does Ketamine Infusion for OCD Work?
Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that has been used for over 50 years in many hospitals and clinics during surgical procedures, and/or other procedures that require anesthesia. Ketamine is a noncompetitive glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, with lower affinity for serotonin, dopamine, opioid, and other receptors. Over the last ten years, researchers have noted that when ketamine was administered in sub-anesthetic doses (doses lower than the traditional ones used in operating rooms), patients reported improvement in their depressive and anxious symptoms, which led them to study its effectiveness in treating other mental health conditions such as OCD. It is believed that ketamine infusion for OCD works by altering the levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Researchers believe that glutamate plays a major role in OCD symptoms, and ketamine has been showing positive results in regulating these symptoms. Researchers involved in a 2013 OCD study, stated that patients who received a 40 minute ketamine infusion, reported improvement of their symptoms after the first infusion, with lasting effects for about 2 weeks after the initial infusion.
What to Expect During the Infusions/Sessions?
During the infusions/sessions, you will be placed in a quiet, safe, and comfortable room. We will administer ketamine via intravenous (IV) infusion, which is one of the most effective ways of medication administration. Throughout the infusion, you will be monitored by our highly trained medical professionals, to ensure your safety and comfort. The series of infusions are provided over a period of 2-3 weeks/weekends, with each session lasting approximately a total of 60 minutes, which includes the infusion time (40 min) and recovery time (20 min). These six initial sessions are followed by maintenance infusions over the next month or two, and throughout the year.
Is Ketamine Infusion Covered by Insurance?
Since ketamine infusion for the treatment of mental health conditions is considered “off-label”, it is currently not completely covered by insurance providers. However, there are ways that we can help you to get the most of what your insurance can offer.
