Ketamine

If you struggle with depression, particularly treatment-resistant depression, turn to Horizons Wellness Family Health NP PLLC in Middletown, New York. Board-certified family nurse practitioner Albalira Gibson-Borrelli, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, and her staff provide ketamine nasal spray (Spravato®) and ketamine intravenous (IV) infusions to ease troublesome symptoms. To learn more about ketamine, call the Orange County office or request an appointment online today. 

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic used for pain management. It’s also effective for treating symptoms of depression, such as ongoing or extreme feelings of sadness.

Horizons Wellness Family Health NP PLLC uses ketamine in the form of infusions and nasal sprays to help you overcome treatment-resistant depression. It provides relief for people who haven’t experienced happiness after using traditional antidepressants. 

What does ketamine treatment address?

Ketamine offers near-instant relief from common symptoms of depression, including:

• Extreme sadness
• Hopelessness
• Worthlessness
• Fatigue
• Social isolation
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Anxiety
• Substance misuse
• Thoughts of suicide
• Physical aches and pains

You might become depressed because of a job loss, divorce, death in your family, relationship conflicts, past trauma, or being diagnosed with an ongoing medical issue.

Traditional antidepressants can take weeks or even months to take effect, while ketamine therapy rapidly eases worrisome symptoms. 

Ketamine targets your brain’s glutamine system, facilitating new neural connections and synaptic plasticity. These factors appear to play a role in mood regulation.

Is ketamine therapy right for me?

To determine the type and severity of depression you might have, the Horizons Wellness Family Health NP PLLC providers discuss your medical history, lifestyle, and preferences. During a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, they ask questions about your emotions and mood and customize a treatment plan. 

What should I expect during ketamine treatment for depression?

During ketamine treatment, simply breathe in ketamine nasal spray (Spravato) or receive an IV infusion through one of your veins. During the infusions, you simply relax, read, talk on the phone, or listen to music. Ketamine infusions could last about 40-60 minutes. 

You typically feel the effect of ketamine infusions soon after each treatment, with continued benefits appearing over time.

What happens afterward?

Follow your provider’s instructions after ketamine treatment, which include having someone drive you home. Take the rest of the day off from work because ketamine treatment may cause sedation (extreme sleepiness).

Your provider determines when to schedule your next treatment session to achieve long-lasting depression relief. Call the Horizons Wellness Family Health NP PLLC office at any time with questions or concerns. 

Schedule a ketamine consultation at Horizons Wellness Family Health NP PLLC by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.