In recent years, ketamine treatment has shown great potential for helping people whose lives have been negatively impacted by a variety of mental health concerns. In today’s post, we answer a few important questions about this service. How long does ketamine treatment last and is it effective?
How Long Does Ketamine Treatment Last?
Ketamine treatment usually lasts around two hours. This includes:
- The administration of the medication
- Allowing time for the patient to experience its effects
- An observation period to make sure the patient hasn’t experienced any problematic side effects
How long does ketamine treatment last in terms of a full course of sessions? The initial phase usually involves around six sessions, often provided on a weekly basis. Following this initial phase, patients may take part in maintenance sessions that are spaced a three- to five-week intervals.
Is Ketamine Treatment Effective?
Several studies have documented the effectiveness of ketamine for depression and other mental illnesses. For example, after analyzing 83 published reports on ketamine treatment, the authors of a comprehensive systematic review that was published in the journal BJPsych Open reported the following:
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses provide support for robust, rapid and transient antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects of ketamine. Evidence for other indications is less robust, but suggests similarly positive and short-lived effects.
This doesn’t mean that ketamine will work for everyone. What it does suggest, though, is that this service holds the potential to improve quality of life for people who have not benefitted from other mental health interventions.
Find Ketamine Treatment in Atlanta, GA
At Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry, ketamine treatment is one of many services that we offer. Our treatment helps adults who have been living with the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Each person who receives care at our outpatient mental health treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, completes a thorough assessment to ensure that we have identified and are prepared to address the full scope of their needs. After reviewing the information that we collect during this assessment, our team develops a customized plan to help the individual make sustained progress toward a healthier future.
Our commitment to personalized service and integrative care makes Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry a place of true hope and lasting healing for people whose lives have been disrupted by a wide range of complex mental health concerns. To learn more about us or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Appointment page or call us today.
