Ketamine IV therapy is a groundbreaking treatment for individuals facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, postpartum depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mood disorders that have not responded to traditional medications. Administered 2-3 times per week during the initial induction phase, Ketamine therapy offers a promising path to symptom relief. Its transformative power lies in its ability to alter brain patterns, fostering lasting changes and new pathways for healing.
During Ketamine infusions, patients often enter a dissociative state, experiencing a range of dream-like sensations. While some sessions may feel calming and pleasant, others can bring forth unexpected emotions or thoughts. These moments, though challenging, are vital for brain healing. Entering the "Ketamine space" requires vulnerability and a willingness to face uncertainty—but it is within this space that profound progress is made.
As a support person, your presence and understanding are invaluable throughout this journey. The following practices will help you provide meaningful care and encouragement to your loved one.
Your loved one will have discussed treatment and reviewed questions/concerns prior to scheduling their infusions. Please contact the clinic with any additional/last-minute concerns a few days prior as our ultimate goal is for infusion days to be as stress-free as possible.
Before the infusion, it is a good time to discuss how your loved one wishes to experience their infusion. This is all a personal choice as some wish to be alone, sit with a stff member or to have their support person in the room with them. Discussing boundaries around touch beforehand will help to limit uncertainty or confusion during the experience.
On the day of the infusion, avoid bringing up stressors and negative topics with your loved one. Discussions involving money, work, or family drama can follow a patient throughout their infusion time. The decision to move forward with Ketamine therapy is a journey they have thought through. Be mindful of your own mental well-being- if you feel you are not in a good place emotionally then the best choice is to either decide on another support person or wait in the waiting room.
You will read that Ketamine providers speak a lot about “setting”. A safe “setting” is very important during infusions. We are referring to the physical and social environment in which the experience takes place. At Ketamine is Hope, we take great pride in ensuring our patients feel welcomed and have a private, comfortable, and peaceful room for their treatment. We offer eye shields, music, pillows, blankets, a fan, a sound machine, and dim lighting. We customize to each patient’s comfort.
Ketamine will heighten all senses; therefore, we ask that you bring something quiet to do. Activities to avoid would include talking on the phone or anything noisy that produces a bright light. We will ask for cell phones to be muted prior to beginning the infusion.
During the infusion, the patient will experience a “dissociative” time. Each patient is different, and each time can be different. It is critical to remain neutral and let the experience play out. It is not the time to “poke fun” or dismiss anything they are saying. Try to remain calm, non-judgmental and kind. Patients can expect feelings ranging from calm and relaxing to intense feelings where difficult memories, images, and emotions occur. This is a sign that Ketamine is working as it should! The brain knows what needs to be brought forward so we can work through it in a therapeutic way.
It takes most people about 15-20 minutes after the infusion to be ready to move about and have their usual thinking. During this time, please be patient and let your loved one rest and process their Ketamine journey. They may appear to be “back to normal”, but may be a bit vulnerable also.
After leaving the clinic, patients may experience some nausea, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. We recommend that plans are not made for after infusions. This is a good time to follow their lead. Some may want to go get some food, others go home and rest. Patients can also range from wanting to talk about their infusions to some who are not ready to process it yet.
Ketamine therapy often produces rapid reductions in symptoms but remember also that long-term change occurs with ups and downs along the way. For many patients what brought them to seek Ketamine is a long history of symptoms making it a complex issue. Ketamine should be looked upon as a “treatment” and not a “cure”. It allows for brain healing and ongoing therapy will help to process feelings, thoughts and coping mechanisms.
Your role as a support person can often be overlooked! If you are experiencing resentment or burnout, the most important thing you can do is to give yourself some space. Many support members can benefit from their own therapy to process feelings.
