Lori Calabrese, MD

Tag: Depression

IV Ketamine Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 women and can last for months if not treated. The symptoms of pervasive depressed mood, feelings of inadequacy and being overwhelmed are often accompanied by anxiety, irritability, inability to sleep despite exhaustion, inconsistent appetite, and intense isolation and guilt about experiencing these symptoms during what should be a joyful time. Some women have thoughts of harming themselves or intrusive thoughts of intentionally or unintentionally harming the baby.

Treatment for postpartum depression includes support for the mother and baby, omega 3 fatty acids, bright light therapy, and acupuncture. Data on the effectiveness of these is limited, but some women have found them helpful. Multiple studies have found that postpartum depression responds to psychotherapy and to traditional antidepressant medications. However, psychotherapy can take weeks or months to help ease symptoms; antidepressants often take weeks to work and are transmitted to the baby if the mom is breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding mothers with postpartum depression often agonize about whether or not to use antidepressants to treat their symptoms because they often don’t want to expose the baby to medication and don’t want to stop nursing in order to take a daily medication. Yet they need rapid and effective relief–for their own health and the health and development of their babies. Multiple studies show that untreated postpartum depression affects mother-baby interactions and are associated with lower cognitive functioning and adverse emotional development in the baby. In these instances, IV Ketamine Therapy for Postpartum Depression can help.

Explore IV Ketamine Therapy for Postpartum Depression Safely and Affordably

If you have postpartum depression or know someone who does, IV ketamine can treat it within hours without requiring that you stop breastfeeding.

IV ketamine is an extremely rapid, effective treatment for depression and 75-80% of patients respond quickly and dramatically to very low dose IV infusions. Although more research needs to be done, this makes IV ketamine therapy an exciting treatment option for postpartum depression, where getting better quickly is what every mom hopes for, and where restoring the health of the mother positively impacts the whole family. Mood, negativity, hopelessness, anxiety and distractibility can improve within hours, and hopelessness and suicidal thoughts can evaporate. A series of low dose infusions over about 2 weeks can result in dramatic and complete remission of symptoms.

Most women experience a mild floating feeling during the 45 minute infusion and lightheadedness, which clears within about 10 minutes. Although other side effects are possible, they are rare, and have not occurred in our postpartum patients. We are careful to discuss and review these in depth with our patients, as well as the breadth of research that supports the use of IV ketamine in the treatment of depression.

We Prioritize IV Ketamine Therapy for Postpartum Depression with Flexible Scheduling

We offer IV ketamine infusions, called IV Ketamine Therapy, for depression and for postpartum depression, and we make it a priority to see postpartum moms. We offer flexible scheduling in the late afternoon and evenings so that a breastfeeding mom can come in for her treatment and resume breastfeeding when the medication has cleared from her system so that her baby is not exposed to it. We carefully calculate the time that it takes for ketamine to clear and work with our patients to plan breastfeeding or pumping around their treatments.

This is dramatic and life-changing for new moms and their families and can be easily added to support, non-pharmacologic approaches and psychotherapy for the most robust and sustained result.

If you or a loved one would like to learn more about IV Ketamine Therapy for Postpartum Depression, please reach out to our office. We are here to help restore you back to your best self.

To getting you back to your best self,
Lori Calabrese, MD

September 18, 2016
3 Ways to Stop Repetitive Thoughts

Have you ever had fast, recurring thoughts about a particular topic that you just couldn’t shake? You may be experiencing repetitive thoughts, which is a common symptom of anxiety. Psychiatrists sometimes refer to these as “ruminative thoughts.” Here are 3 ways to stop them.

1. Write

When you find yourself having repetitive thoughts, stop for a minute and write them down. Getting your thoughts on paper frees up your mind, allowing you to feel less anxious. Writing actually engages your mind and helps to reduce the power of your repetitive thoughts. You don’t have to forget about these thoughts entirely. Writing them down allows you to revisit them when you’re mind isn’t moving so quickly.

2. Breathe

You may find that your breathing changes during your bouts of repetitive thoughts. When your mind is racing, be aware and work to slow your breathing. Slowly breathe in through your nose, counting to 3, and breathe out through your mouth, slowly counting to 5. You’ll start to notice that your mind and body will be more relaxed.

3. Focus

When your mind is racing, it may be difficult to focus on anything but your thoughts. However, it’s important to focus on the present especially during times like this. Focusing on the present allows you to accept what you can’t change and let it go. As much as you may like to, you can’t change the past so it only encourages your anxiety to constantly think about it.

Remember, it takes time to change old habits or develop new ones. Start slowly by choosing one of these tips to use the next time you find yourself dealing with repetitive thoughts. For more tips or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today.

To getting you back to your best self,
Lori Calabrese, MD

September 8, 2016
4 Ways to Overcome Mental Exhaustion

Mental exhaustion often disguises itself as overwhelm and stress. If you’ve ever complained about not having enough time in the day, you may be suffering from mental exhaustion. Here are 4 ways to overcome it!

1. Relax

Relaxation is often elusive to many of us for one reason or another. It’s not enough to relax; you need to give yourself permission to relax. Don’t feel guilty about doing nothing. Your mind, body, and spirit need the rest so sit back and enjoy it!

2. Be Realistic

For many of us, our to do list is full of tasks we know we’re not going to accomplish that day. It’s time to start being realistic about how much you can get done during the day. Don’t overextend yourself with a full to do list. Leave some room for more enjoyable things, like taking a walk or reading.

3. Practice Prioritization

At the beginning of each day, choose the three tasks that must be completed that day. These are the most important tasks you should be focusing on, which help you prioritize your day. It’s also helpful to find more efficient ways of handling your tasks. For example, setting up your bills on auto-pay will take the stress off of you each month because you don’t have to manually pay them.

4. Seek Rest Opportunities

Rest opportunities are all around us but many of us are too exhausted to see them. While you’re waiting in line, try some mindfulness techniques or breathing exercises. Some mindfulness techniques include paying close attention to physical feelings, such as how your feet feel on the floor or in your shoes, how your shoulders feel (i.e. are they tense, back, hunched forward). These can be used in public, making it a perfect option while standing in line at the supermarket.

Relaxing your mind and recovering from mental exhaustion is essential for good mental health. It’s important to take time for yourself, even if it’s just 20 minutes a day, to help you unwind and feel better.

To getting you back to your best self,
Lori Calabrese, MD

July 12, 2016
Is IV Ketamine Therapy the Future of Depression Treatments?

Each year, millions of Americans are diagnosed with major depression. Not all of them will seek treatment, and roughly 40% of those who do will not respond to antidepressants.

Fortunately, there’s an alternative to Treatment-Resistant Depression – IV Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine is administered at a low dose by IV infusion, and it works quickly. Many patients feel the benefits within hours. Although it is not FDA approved for the treatment of depression, several studies have shown it to be safe and effective when used as an IV infusion in low doses.

It’s not uncommon for doctors to go “off-label” in prescribing medications. That means they prescribe medications to treat conditions research has demonstrated the medication is effective for. The medication might not have been approved for that use, but the FDA often approves a given medication only once. Once it is approved for use, research and experience sometimes reveals other uses for the medication.

Scientific studies have shown that even a low dose of ketamine administered IV can dramatically improve depressive symptoms. Symptoms like suicidal thoughts, loss of pleasure or interest in things, and decreased concentration tend to respond quickly. In fact, the rapid response to IV ketamine infusions can be life saving. Studies have shown that a single dose of IV ketamine often dramatically reduce suicidal thoughts.

Patients with Depression Respond to IV Ketamine Therapy when Nothing Else Appears to be Working

Low self-esteem, impaired sleep and appetite, overeating, decreased sexual desire, and other depressive symptoms also improve rapidly. With IV ketamine treatment, patients who’ve been unable to escape depression have a better chance. By putting lifestyle changes into place that help keep depression in remission, they can life more rewarding lives.

It’s important to note that Ketamine is not a miracle drug. Although it’s effective for the majority of patients, it doesn’t always work for everyone. As we know, the treatment of depression is complex and the best outcomes occur when treatment is comprehensive and tailored to each patient individually.

If you’ve been battling depression and feel as though traditional antidepressants aren’t working, it may be time to consider IV Ketamine infusions.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact my office today.

To getting you back to your best self,
Lori Calabrese, MD

July 1, 2016
Can Exercise Ease Depression?

Exercise is important to our physical health but it’s also essential to our mental well-being. If you’re feeling down, one of the best things you can do is to get active. It doesn’t take much; a brisk 30-minute walk is sometimes all it takes to help you feel better.

When you’re depressed, your brain doesn’t function like it should. In fact, depression shuts down the brain’s ability to adapt to new situations. Certain chemicals in the brain are limited that decrease communication in the brain during depression.

During exercise, our bodies release endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins are a natural antidepressant and serotonin boosts mood. It also increases blood flow to the brain, which can cause an increase in memory and alertness.

It has a number of physical and mental health benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Increasing self-esteem
• Gaining confidence
• Creating a distraction from your nagging thoughts
• Fresh air and sunshine to bolster mood

Before you start any exercise routine, always check with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you. In the meantime, prepare yourself for what you’ll do to burn calories and ease your depression symptoms. Think of activities you enjoy doing because making exercise fun means you’ll stick with it longer. Don’t forget to set reasonable goals for yourself and prepare for setbacks.

While exercise is a great method to help you feel better, it may not be enough. You may still need an antidepressant, but that doesn’t mean you get to skip the exercise! Medication and exercise are a great combination and should be taken together.

To getting you back to your best self,
Lori Calabrese, MD

June 14, 2016
3 Myths About OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1 in 100 Americans each year. This disorder is often misunderstood and those suffering struggle with the stigma associated with it. This stigma can negatively impact all areas of life. It’s time to stop the stigma with these 3 myths about OCD.

1. Having OCD Means You’re a “Clean Freak” or “Germaphobe”

OCD manifests differently in different people, which means no two cases are necessarily the same. Only a portion of people with OCD have a fear of germs or have compulsions of keeping themselves and everything around them clean. There are many fears or obsessions associated with OCD so to say that being afraid of germs or liking to be clean is a sign of OCD is perpetuating stigma. Common fears in people with OCD include:
- Fear of certain numbers, colors, words, etc.
- Fear of committing a sin
- Fear of germs
- Fear of a loved one dying
In addition to these fears, those with OCD also cope with compulsive behaviors. Many of these behaviors are repetitive and include:
- Hand washing
- Tapping or touching objects
- Counting
- Repeating certain movements
- Hoarding
Each patient is different and will experience OCD differently. In addition, symptoms can change over time, with some disappearing and new ones popping up.

2. Having OCD Means You Love Being Neat and Organized

How many of you have heard someone say, “I have OCD” while tidying up or trying to stay organized? High levels of anxiety accompany OCD, so, while you may think that someone enjoys being organized, they’re really doing it to stave off anxiety. It’s not something they enjoy doing; it’s something they feel as though they have to do to feel better.

3. Having OCD Means You’re Weak and Uptight

If you don’t have a psychiatric disorder, it’s difficult to understand those who do because a healthy mind doesn’t work the same way. Those with OCD aren’t weak because they can’t stop compulsive behavior. Their brain is wired differently making it difficult or even impossible for them to change their behavior without treatment. Getting upset or frustrated with someone who has OCD isn’t beneficial to anyone and it may make him or her feel worse about him or herself.

It’s important to know the facts before speaking on a subject. We all have our opinions, but, oftentimes, it’s those very opinions that keep the stigma surrounding psychiatric disorders alive. It’s this stigma that often prevents people from seeking treatment for one reason or another.

To getting you back to your best self,
Lori Calabrese, MD
May 18, 2016

error: Content is protected !!