Ketamine Treatment for Anxiety
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a psychiatric condition that brings on excessive, unrealistic worry and tension, even if there is little or nothing to provoke the anxiety. Someone who suffers from GAD finds it extremely difficult to stop worrying and might obsess over things like family, money, health and even things they have no control over. Often times, just the thought of trying to make it through the day can bring about anxiety. GAD symptoms can vary in intensity, sometimes just being barely noticeable to more extreme to the point where it interferes with daily functioning. Physical symptoms can include headache, shakiness, shortness of breath, frequent need to urinate, sweating or chills.
GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, in any given year. The mean age of onset of anxiety disorders is a strikingly young age of 11 years old, although GAD can occur at any age. The condition affects twice as many women as men.
The exact cause of GAD is not known, but a number of factors appear to contribute to its development including brain chemistry (neurotransmitters are out of balance), genetics and environment (trauma and stressful events such as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, changing jobs or schools).
Anxiety Treatments
Anxiety is highly treatable (up to 90% of cases), but only one-third of those who suffer from it receive treatment.
Psychotherapy for Anxiety
Psychotherapy is often used either alone or in combination with medications to treat anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy involves a variety of treatment techniques, most commonly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps the patient identify and work through the factors that may be triggering the anxiety. Relaxation exercises are also addressed to help the patient reduce his or her anxiety levels.
Medication for Anxiety
Medication treatment of anxiety disorders is generally safe and effective and is often used in conjunction with therapy. Medication may be a short-term or long-term treatment option, depending on severity of symptoms. The four major classes of medications used for anxiety disorders are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), Benzodiazepines and Tricyclic Antidepressants.
Ketamine IV infusions are being used with great success for hard-to-treat cases of GAD. Unlike traditional SSRIs or SNRIs that can take weeks to months to begin working, the benefits of Ketamine can be felt by the patient within 24 hours. This is great news for people with very severe symptoms of anxiety.
Complementary & Alternative Treatment
Many patients successfully use yoga, acupuncture and meditation for anxiety relief.
The Good News
Anxiety disorders like GAD are very treatable. The key is to get help through a mental health professional like a psychologist or psychiatrist. It is possible to lead a very happy and successful life, hold down a career, and have a strong social life despite anxiety. A few well-known people who have dealt with anxiety include Howie Mandel, Johnny Depp, David Beckham, Whoopi Goldberg, Jessica Alba and Heather Locklear.
KETAMINE FOR ANXIETY
Ketamine is being used as a successful treatment for anxiety. COPE offers Ketamine Treatment for anxiety at our treatment centers in New York, Charlotte, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Houston. An intranasal formulation of esketamine (Spravato) is also available now. Contact COPE to learn more about whether you’re a candidate for Ketamine Treatment for anxiety.