Ketamine Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: A Comprehensive Guide

The diagnosis of bipolar disorder alone can be a tedious task primarily due to it being more complicated than typical depression. With recent studies done, it is estimated that out of all adults in the United States, 3% are severely affected by this condition. Other than the rate of diagnosis, the most challenging aspect of this is treatment as it is more complex and multifaceted than traditional depression. Ketamine infusion therapy is emerging as a more effective treatment sorely needed in the health care sector and it has proved to be exceptionally effective.

The Health Institute for Advanced Neuroplasticity MD, under the direction of Dr. Yuli Fradkin, has a mission to utilize advanced techniques aiming to integrate neurology and psychiatry, which helps bipolar individuals live life fully. In this publication, we discuss the utilization of ketamine infusion therapy as a method of addressing and treating the needs of a person suffering from bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder’s Inner Workings

The primary characteristic of bipolar disorder is rapid changes in mood and energy level which results in a person experiencing both manic and elevated emotion coupled with depression and low state.

It is divided into three main groups:

• Bipolar I: Someone having this needs to go through at least one manic episode that lasts for 7 days. If it’s severe, the person would need hospitalization. The lower depressive phase can last from two weeks up to a few months.
• Bipolar II: This type describes a person with hypomanic states exceeding the normal energetic range but below the manic phase. The extremely elevated feeling is pushed by depressive phases that are also cyclical in nature which is equally severe making it difficult to manage.
• Cyclothymic Disorder: There are in constant and rapid shifts of mood that do not completely fulfill either the criteria for depression or hypomania but significantly affects life.

Both conditions of mania and depression are very difficult to cope with, but the later is especially harsh and may lead to death, thus, it is essential to treat it.

How Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy Assist in The Treatment of Bi-Polar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is very well placed treatment resistant, with high morbidity and suicide rates. It is difficult to control with most medications and patients have a difficult time with the current therapies provided. Originally used as an anesthetic, ketamine has revolutionized treatment for people with depression resistant to therapy (TRD), a common concern in bipolar disorder.

Why Is Ketamine Efficient?

The working mechanism is still under research but its believed that ketamine functions by releasing factors promoting synaptogenesis or formation of new synapses, thereby enhancing mood regulation as communication between neurons becomes stronger.

Research Findings

Implementing these studies, ketamine is shown to be really helpful:

• In a sample of 42 participants diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 52% of patients positively responded to a single dose infusion of ketamine.
• Another study consisting of 27 patients reported over 48% of participants noted some symptom relief in a week’s time with 37% being in remission.
• For one additional study, over three-fourths of the participants noted marked enhancement in mood symptoms as well as suicidal thoughts within forty minutes of treatment as compared to 0 percent in the standard treatment control group.

Advantages of Ketamine Treatment in Cases of Bipolar Disorder.

After careful research, investigators have discerned three baseline ways in which ketamine can be utilized in patients suffering from bipolar depression.

1. Biochemical Paradigm

This approach consists of using ketamine therapy as a single procedure without any forms of psychotherapy. The primary focus is on the biochemical mood symptom relief that the ketamine provides.

2. Psychotherapeutic Paradigm

Here, ketamine is used in conjunction with therapy to improve the emotional skills of the individual. Just like MDMA is considered for PTSD Treatment, ketamine may also serve a purpose in psychotherapy by assisting with deeper emotional integration.

3. Psychedelic Paradigm

This view of ketamine as capable of directly changing one’s state of consciousness resembles the attitude towards other psychedelics like sesames mushrooms or LSD. Certain studies indicate that the feeling of awe, or ego dissolution experienced during treatment has a potential positive long term effect on one’s mood.

Things to Bear in Mind Before Trying Ketamine Therapy

There are numerous advantages to this type of therapy, but there are also practical issues to consider:

1. Cost

The costs of ketamine infusions can be staggering, ranging in the hundreds of dollars for single sessions. At the moment, esketamine, branded as Spravato Treatment, is the only approved treatment form in cases of depression that is able to be covered by insurance but this is not guaranteed.

2. Time Commitment Particulars

• Ketamine has the potential to induce temporary dizziness, sedation, or disconnection towards the body which means that you may require someone to drive you home post treatment.
• Therapy sessions usually take around 2-3 appointments every week for a couple of weeks.
• Mental readiness and recuperation time after treatment has to be taken into consideration also.

3. Substance Use Concerns

Although therapeutic ketamine is capable of inducing addiction, its therapeutic application is of low concern. In fact, it has been used for some patients having certain substance use disorders as well.

4. Potential Side Effects

Since the inception of Ketamine, being an aesthetic, its side effects tends to be comparable to the ones seen during sedation. Below are some possible side effects:

• Nausea
• Suppressed alertness
• Lightheadedness
• Possible side effects of numerous medications

Final Thoughts

For patients struggling with treatment resistant bipolar depression, Ketamine therapy in NJ may offer an effective and life-altering treatment. Seeing as there is evidence of rapid relief of depressive and suicidal thoughts, it has been suggested as a treatment option for people who have failed to improve with other treatments.

If you or someone close to you needs advice regarding the use of ketamine for bipolar disorder, you should reach out to an Clinic Neuroplasticity MD appropriate and experienced medical professional who will advise you accurately.