Ketamine for Thoughts of Self-Harm

Suicidal ideation refers to the contemplation of, thoughts about, or planning for suicide. Even if only fleeting thoughts, suicidal ideation is a serious concern, one that requires immediate attention and treatment.

While ideation is not considered to be a mental health disorder, it can be a symptom of others, like depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, and can be treated.

Passive and active are the two primary forms of suicidal ideation. Passive involves general thoughts about suicide, such as wishing not to wake up the following morning. Active suicidal ideation is when a person starts developing specific plans about how to end their life.

If you're suffering from either form of suicidal ideation, you're not alone. For those in crisis, call the San Diego crisis line at (888) 724-7240. Available seven days a week, this hotline is staffed by caring, compassionate professionals who understand what you're dealing with and can provide immediate assistance. You can also contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a 24/7 help hotline.

For those in a non-emergency situation, we encourage you to contact your mental health professional. Once you've done so, don't hesitate to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our Resilience Integrative Wellness therapists to discuss potential treatment courses.

It all has to do with a neurotransmitter called glutamate, which is important in the regulation of memory, cognition, and mood. While it's not quite clear yet exactly how ketamine improves mood, it's thought to be involved in the restoration of damaged brain neurons.

As a result, it's possible that ketamine can improve a person's mood in a matter of hours while facilitating the regeneration of those damaged nerve cells over time.

It’s recommended that those with pre-existing cardiac or pulmonary conditions or high blood pressure obtain medical clearance from their primary care provider before beginning ketamine infusion treatments.

Additionally, while the benefits of ketamine therapy are wide-ranging, it is not recommended for those who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Here's what to generally expect during a ketamine infusion therapy session.

Before

• Refrain from consuming milk or solid foods for at least six hours before your appointment.
• Refrain from all other beverages (soda, tea, coffee, etc.) two hours before your treatment.
• Avoid alcohol and illicit drugs, as they can be dangerous when combined with ketamine.
• Do not take any prescribed narcotics or benzodiazepines on the treatment day.

During

Typically, treatments are delivered intravenously slowly over 45 minutes. You'll be awake the entire time – ketamine therapy does not cause any loss of consciousness.

In the beginning, you may not experience noticeable effects, but as your treatment progresses, you may feel a lightness or floating sensation, which many describe as a weight being lifted off their shoulders.

You'll be monitored throughout the infusion, and we'll be there to intervene should you experience a rare unpleasant side effect.

After

You'll relax in your treatment room once the infusion is complete. Within 15 minutes, your senses and thinking will return to normal.

The effects of just one ketamine infusion can last up to two weeks. Following a completed treatment course, which typically consists of six infusions, some have reported being symptom-free for several months.

While effectiveness varies from person to person, many have experienced positive ketamine effects after just one infusion, lasting as long as two weeks.

After completing a recommended course, which typically consists of six infusions spread over a few weeks, some have reported being symptom-free for several months.

To help maintain long-lasting effects, Resilience Integrative Wellness offers booster infusion options, which can be administered monthly or a few times per year.

Our providers will review your medications with you during your free consultation, discussing which medications can be continued and which should be temporarily stopped before the procedure.

A common ketamine therapy treatment course consists of six infusions within a three-week span. That allows the individual to harness the full benefits of ketamine.

That said, we tailor our treatments to the individual and invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about what your treatment course may look like.