What causes depression?
One of the most important causes of depression is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in your brain. However, your genetics, stress, and even exposure to trauma influence your vulnerability to depression.
Many lifestyle changes also increase your risk. For example, the death of a loved one, breaking up with your partner, and a serious illness are three common contributors to depression.
What are the different types of depression?
There are currently eight different depressive disorders recognized in DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders. However, the two most common are:
Major depressive disorder
Major depression exists when you have symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, that are serious enough to interfere with daily life.
Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
This type of depression is defined as having symptoms of depression that last at least two years, which includes episodes of major depression and periods of less severe symptoms.
What symptoms will I have due to depression?
Depression causes a broad range of physical and emotional symptoms. You may:
- Feel sad (have a low or depressed mood)
- Lose interest in activities you normally enjoy
- Experience changes in your appetite (feel more or less hungry)
- Experience changes in your weight (you may gain or lose weight)
- Have difficulty sleeping or sleep too much
- Feel fatigued
- Feel worthless or guilty
- Have a hard time concentrating or making decisions
- Have suicidal thoughts
When you have any of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, it’s time to get help from a medical professional.
What is ketamine and how does it treat depression?
Ketamine is a medication that’s frequently used as an anesthetic during surgery. In this role, it has a long-standing reputation for safety. It’s so safe that it’s often recommended for children aged 3 months and older.
When ketamine is used for surgery, a large dose is administered. However, this medication can also be used in a small dose, called a subanesthetic dose, because it’s such a tiny amount that it doesn’t cause anesthesia. At a low dose, ketamine effectively relieves depression by balancing brain chemicals.
Depression arises from the brain’s inability to use a neurotransmitter called glutamate. When the doctors at Delaware Valley Wellness Center administer an infusion of ketamine, it helps to balance glutamate levels.
Since ketamine directly affects glutamate, it often produces rapid results. By comparison, the antidepressant medications typically prescribed take 2-4 weeks before they relieve depression — if they’re effective at all. About 50% of patients with depression don’t feel better after their first round of antidepressants.
If you need quick relief from depression, complete the online questionnaire or call Delaware Valley Wellness Center.
