Patients served
Rita describes many patients as everyday people with challenging health concerns, most commonly mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, followed by chronic idiopathic or neuropathic pain and autoimmune-related concerns.
Conditions discussed
- Depression and related subtypes, anxiety, OCD, suicidal ideation, PTSD, insomnia, chronic neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and migraines are discussed as areas where ketamine may be considered.
- Ketamine may reduce the severity of chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and neuropathy, though it does not treat every underlying cause of pain.
- Schizoid disorders are noted as an area where ketamine is not recommended in this interview context.
Treatment response
Response timing varies by condition and patient. Some patients pursue several treatments close together, while others use maintenance treatment after an initial series. Frequency is individualized based on symptoms, response, safety, finances, and availability.
Cautions and side effects
The interview emphasizes starting low, monitoring patient tolerance, avoiding unsafe frequency, watching for bladder irritation risk, and managing common side effects such as nausea, fatigue, grogginess, dizziness, and post-treatment impairment. Patients should not drive or operate machinery after treatment.