Why Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety?
What doctors are calling a promising novel therapy for anxiety.
At Flow Integrative® we are proud to offer the latest in mental health treatment options. This includes Ketamine infusion therapy for the treatment of anxiety using the highest levels of safety standards and patient care.
With traditional treatments for anxiety, it can sometimes take weeks or even months before you experience symptom relief. Ketamine is an exciting new treatment option because in some cases it can provide relief from anxiety symptoms within days or even hours.
Ketamine for anxiety treatment offers fast and efficient relief from the symptoms of anxiety disorders or mental health conditions, with up to 75% of patients reporting a positive response to just a single ketamine infusion.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety on its own is simply the brain and body reacting to threats of stress or potential danger. To feel anxious from time to time is normal and may even be useful in certain situations. Anxiety disorders go above and beyond these normal levels – in fact, they are mental health conditions marked by constant and overwhelming anxiety, stress, and fear.
Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to perform in school, maintain relationships, or keep up your everyday life. Fortunately, with the right treatment options, you can manage your symptoms and regain a sense of normalcy in your life.
What Causes Anxiety?
What leads a person to develop an anxiety disorder is still not fully understood by the medical community. Traumatic events or life experiences may trigger anxiety disorders in those already prone to them, but inherited traits can also be a factor.
In some cases, the anxiety disorder may be linked to underlying health issues. In other cases, symptoms of anxiety can be the first indicators of another sort of medical condition.
Examples of other conditions sometimes linked to anxiety include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems (for example, hyperthyroidism)
- Respiratory disorders like COPD or asthma
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
- Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other medications
- Chronic pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- You do not have any blood relatives with an anxiety disorder
- You did not have an anxiety disorder as a child
- You do not avoid certain things or situations because of anxiety
- You have a sudden occurrence of anxiety that seems unrelated to life events
What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
While symptoms can vary between people, the main symptoms typically include the following:
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- A sense of impending doom or danger
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Physical weakness
- Fatigue
- Trouble focusing
- Disruption in sleep patterns
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Avoiding things that trigger anxiety
What Are the Risk Factors for Anxiety?
The following factors may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder:
- Trauma. Children or adults who experience traumatic events can go on to develop anxiety disorders
- Stress from an illness. A serious health condition can cause significant worry.
- Personality. Some specific personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders.
- Other mental health disorders. Other conditions like depression often go hand-in-hand with anxiety disorders.
- Family history of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders often run in families.
- Drug or alcohol abuse
How Can You Prevent Anxiety?
While there is no known way to prevent someone from developing an anxiety disorder, some steps can be taken to reduce the impact of these symptoms.
- Get help early. Like other mental health conditions, anxiety is harder to treat the longer you go without treatment.
- Stay active. Enjoy hobbies or spend time with friends, and don’t forget to spend time doing things you like.
- Avoid alcohol or drug use. Substance abuse will likely only worsen your symptoms in time.
What Are the Types of Anxiety Disorders?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Characterized by chronic anxiety and exaggerated worry and tension, even if there is little or nothing to provoke it.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Known for the intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that come along with this disorder, as well as repetitive behaviors (known as compulsions). These compulsions, or “rituals,” are developed as a way for someone with OCD to cope with the obsessive thoughts they experience. However, this typically only offers temporary relief, and can even make the anxiety worse over time.
Panic Disorder
Known for intense moments of fear that are made obvious through physical symptoms, like dizziness, stomach troubles, shortness of breath, chest pain, and/or heart palpitations.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Known for the intense fear brought on by social situations, like shopping, public speaking, playing a sport, or simply being around other people in small, controlled settings.
Agoraphobia
Known for the intense fear formed from certain situations or places. Causes the suffer to go out of their way to avoid the things that trigger their anxiety.
Can Lifestyle Changes Help With Anxiety?
While medication may help treat anxiety, certain lifestyle changes may help relieve the symptoms of anxiety faster, and may also better fortify the brain and stop your anxiety from coming back again. Some examples of important lifestyle improvements one can make:
Exercise
Research shows that regular exercise, between 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day, can be just as effective as medication when treating anxiety disorders. Exercise boosts important “feel good” chemicals like serotonin and endorphins, but it also triggers the growth of new connections between brain cells. Fortunately, even a half-hour daily walk can start to improve your symptoms.
Social Support Networks
A strong social support network can reduce the feelings of isolation that anxiety disorders are known to bring about. You should consider joining a class or group for a hobby you enjoy or volunteering with a local charity or foundation, as well as keeping in regular contact with your close friends and loved ones.
Nutrition
Even people without an anxiety disorder should strive to eat well – it’s good for not just physical health, but mental health as well. Try to eat smaller but well-balanced meals throughout the day to keep your energy up and combat mood swings.
Sleep
Sleep strongly affects your mood, and when you are not getting enough of it you may find yourself irritable, grumpy, fatigued, or unusually sad. Generally speaking, everyone should sleep somewhere between seven to nine hours every night.
Stress Reduction
Anything you can do to reduce stress will help your anxiety symptoms. Stress not only worsens the symptoms of your anxiety disorder but may also put you at risk of developing one in the future. Seek out ways to manage the stress in your life, such as an unhealthy relationship or work-related stress.
Ready To Get Started?
Take the first step towards integrative wellness today. Schedule your consultation with Flow Integrative to see if our treatment options are right for you. The time for healing is now.
