cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/8180477

Why this is significant: There is no currently known treatment to stop suicidal thoughts when they happen. Antidepressants take 4-6 weeks to start working, and they don’t work for everyone. Therapy also takes time. Our best option for acutely suicidal people is to lock them up in a psychiatric facility until they are no longer a threat to themselves.

Intravenous ketamine offers a glimpse of hope. A single dose appears able to alleviate suicidal ideation immediately after administration and for up to a week afterwards.

  • sky
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    15
    ·
    7 months ago

    My therapist recommended this for me, or esketamine which my insurance may cover, but my doctor thought trying a regular antidepressant first was best, despite having tried many before.

    I am doing better than I was, for sure, but I do wonder if I could be even better. I’m also honestly lucky to have made it through the dark period before the meds kicked in.

    • ickplant@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      7 months ago

      I’m glad you made it through that dark period. Is your doctor no longer willing to consider esketamine since the antidepressant is sort of working? That’s too bad, if so. I know insurance can be picky with what they cover, too. I have a lot of hope that all of this will improve as psychedelic treatment for depression becomes more and more commonplace. For now, give us a follow at Psychedelic Therapy, and see if your doctor changes their mind!