Esketamine Treatment Specialist in Olympia, WA

Esketamine is a more potent version of the anesthetic drug, ketamine, and is specifically typically used for treating treatment-resistant depression. In many cases, it can reverse the symptoms associated with depression within hours, providing rapid relief from severe symptoms. 

Esketamine will be administered as a form of nasal spray and is used alongside traditional depression treatments like therapy. Esketamine is not typically used as a first-line treatment. Instead, it is approved for particularly challenging cases of depression, namely treatment-resistant depression. 

This diagnosis is given when individuals have tried two or more oral antidepressants without achieving symptomatic relief. Esketamine can also be used for major depressive disorder, particularly among individuals who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions. Suitability for esketamine treatment is determined in collaboration with providers at Three Points Healing Wellness Clinic, involving a holistic approach to managing depression that includes medication, psychotherapy, health, and lifestyle changes.

Esketamine differs from traditional antidepressants in several ways, including its mechanism of action, administration method, potency, and speed of action. 

Traditional antidepressants typically work by increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and other naturally occurring chemicals in the brain. These chemicals positively influence mood by improving communication between brain cells. 

In contrast, esketamine influences the level of glutamate, the brain’s most abundant chemical messenger, allowing it to affect more brain cells at once. Another significant difference is the administration method. Esketamine is administered through a nasal spray, unlike the oral administration of most traditional antidepressants. 

Traditional antidepressants usually need to be taken for weeks before noticeable effects occur, while esketamine can relieve depression symptoms within hours. 

This fast-acting quality makes esketamine particularly useful for decreasing suicidal thoughts as well as assisting those individuals who have not had success with traditional antidepressants.

Patients will receive careful instructions on how to use esketamine. The nasal spray is self-administered under doctor supervision, with three doses given in intervals of five minutes. 

Patients are supervised by providers at Three Points Healing Wellness Clinic until any side effects have passed. Esketamine is used alongside a more conventional antidepressant in most cases. 

During this period, esketamine provides rapid relief from symptoms, while the traditional antidepressant offers longer-lasting effects. The frequency of esketamine administration varies according to patient needs. Initially, it is often provided twice a week for a month. 

After the initial phase, it may be continued at a reduced frequency in a maintenance phase, as necessary. This careful monitoring and adjustment ensures that patients receive the maximum benefit from their treatment while minimizing potential side effects.

How quickly patients can expect to see results from esketamine treatment varies on an individual basis. However, esketamine is known for providing fast-acting relief from depressive symptoms. 

Thanks to its immediate impact on brain cells, esketamine can often offer relief within hours. This rapid effect makes it an excellent option for individuals who have difficulty with traditional antidepressants or who exhibit many of the severe symptoms that are associated with major depressive disorders, including suicidal thoughts, and require swift relief. 

The most significant effects of esketamine are typically seen within a week of beginning treatment. This includes not only relief from depressive symptoms and mood improvements but also positive behavioral changes. 

Patients may experience increased interest in activities they were previously disinterested in, enhanced productivity, and improved social interactions. These positive changes help patients adhere to other components of their treatment plan, including making healthy lifestyle choices to support their recovery. 

While esketamine acts quickly, patients should continue with their prescribed schedule to ensure they receive the maximum benefits, which typically involves regular visits and adherence to all components of their treatment plan designed in collaboration with specialists at Three Points Healing Wellness Clinic.

Esketamine treatment is available at Three Points Healing Wellness Clinic. For more information, contact us or book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 3435 Martin Way East. Suite C, Olympia, WA 98506. We serve patients from Olympia WA, Tacoma WA, Puyallup WA, Lakewood WA, Yelm WA, Shelton WA, Lacey WA, and surrounding areas.