Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is now being utilized in lower doses for its rapid-acting antidepressant and pain-relieving properties — and it’s available here at Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health in Newport Beach, California.
If you’re dealing with depression or another mental health condition, you may wonder if you’re eligible for ketamine infusion therapy, and you’re not alone. It’s a question we hear quite often: Who is eligible for ketamine infusion therapy?
Read on as Dr. Hadi Estakhri and our team discuss the eligibility criteria for ketamine infusion therapy.
While ketamine infusion therapy has the potential to benefit a wide range of conditions, not everyone is a suitable candidate.
Here are some general eligibility criteria:
A thorough medical evaluation is essential to determine eligibility. This typically includes a review of your medical history, current medications, and a physical examination.
Conditions like uncontrolled high blood pressure or certain heart diseases may disqualify you from receiving ketamine therapy.
For those seeking ketamine therapy for mental health conditions, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is necessary. This helps Dr. Estakhri understand the severity of your condition and confirm that ketamine is the right course of action for you.
Ketamine infusion therapy can be used to help with:
If you’re seeking mental health care and ketamine therapy isn’t right for you, Dr. Estakhri may recommend other treatments as appropriate — e.g., oral medications, therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and lifestyle modifications.
Eligibility often depends on your history with previous treatments. Ketamine infusion therapy isn’t typically the first line of defense for depression treatment.
Ketamine is generally considered when other treatments have failed to provide sufficient relief, particularly for conditions like treatment-resistant depression.
As with any treatment, eligible candidates should be free from any contraindications. Contraindications for ketamine infusion therapy are any conditions — medical or psychiatric — that may increase your risk of adverse effects or complications.
These contraindications typically involve:
Patients with a history of substance abuse may be excluded from ketamine therapy due to the potential for misuse and dependency. However, each case is evaluated individually.
Intravenous ketamine infusion therapy takes place in our office. Afterward, Dr. Estakhri monitors you, and you may feel a little groggy. This is normal and to be expected. The next morning, you’ll wake up and feel refreshed, but you’ll need someone to drive you home after your infusion.
In other words, you’ll need to be okay with the intravenous process and arrange for a ride home after your therapy. You won’t be able to drive after your infusion.
If you’re struggling to manage depression, anxiety, or PTSD, don’t postpone mental health care. Reaching out is always a sign of strength, and our team is here to help you get the care you need whether that’s with ketamine infusion therapy or another option.
To schedule a consultation, call us today at 949-945-0927. You can also book an appointment online anytime.
