Ketamine Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder in Los Altos, CA

Major depressive disorder is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how a person feels, how they act, and the way they think. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities that were once very enjoyable. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems, such as higher susceptibility to illnesses, and can decrease the ability to function both at work and at home. Depression symptoms range from mild to severe. They may include:

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that previously brought enjoyment
• Changes in appetite—weight loss or gain
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (restlessness, pacing, handwringing)
• Slowed movements or speech
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

For a diagnosis of depression, symptoms must last at least two weeks and represent a change in one’s previous level of functioning.

There are several triggers for major depressive disorder, including such things as:

Grief and Loss — Also known as bereavement, grief and loss can be hard on anyone. Because the symptoms may just be taken as being a normal reaction to loss, diagnosis can be challenging.

Rejection — Feeling accepted is an inherent need of all humans. Being rejected, or socially excluded, can create hardships and even result in profound feelings of depression.

Stress — Psychological stress is known to cause several health complications, both mental and physical.

Illness — Feeling ill can make us feel lethargic and impede on our quality of life, which is why feeling sick is colloquially referred to as “feeling under the weather.”

Lack of Sleep — Sleeping is essential for our health, and lack of sleep can degrade both our mental and physical health.

Money Problems — Financial problems can be a great burden on our mental wellbeing, and can instigate stress in many different ways.

Life Transitions — Life transitions, even positive ones, can cause feelings of sadness and removal. As we familiarize ourselves with a routine, any change can be a difficult adjustment.

Substance Use — Substance use, whether it is alcohol, illicit drugs or medications, can alter the brain’s chemistry and change the way we experience consciousness. This has the potential to draw out negative thoughts and feelings, which can be difficult to control.

Untreated clinical depression is a serious problem. If depression is left untreated, it increases the chance of risky behaviors such as substance misuse, abuse or a dependency. In addition, it also can cause problems at work, ruin relationships (both with friends and family), and make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses.

If you live in Los Altos or the surrounding area and have major depressive disorder, there is help! At Bay Area Ketamine Center, we are experienced in treating mental health conditions like depression and can help you improve your mental health.

Call Bay Area Ketamine Center today to book an appointment, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 746 Altos Oaks Drive, Los Altos, CA 94024. Our office is open five days a week, from Monday to Friday, during the hours of 10 AM to 6 PM. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Los Altos, CA, Sunnyvale CA, Palo Alto CA, Stanford CA, Atherton CA, Cupertino CA, and BEYOND.