by Isbel Cruz-Chaudhry | Sep 12, 2019 | Anxiety, CRPS/RSD, Depression, Fibromyalgia, General, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, PTSD
On September 10th, we bring attention to the epidemic of suicide with World Suicide Prevention Day. During this month of September, we highlight the national problem and its devastating effects on our society. But as the WHO’s report states, “Suicide is a global public health issue. All ages, sexes and regions of the world are affected (and) each loss is one too many”. It is a symptom of the lack of resources and education for mental health issues that affect all individuals around the globe. When suicide takes the life of “one person every 40 seconds”, we can only assume that we are not doing enough to help our children grow into healthy individuals. “It is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds”. That is staggering. We are losing our future generation the world over to immense stress and pain.
Only recently we have begun to bring more attention to and create educational fronts to establish wellbeing across the cultural divides. But more needs to be done to help the countless individuals suffering in silence. We must lift the stigma that surrounds mental health to include a much wider net of care and solutions to the symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the painful reduction in quality of life that leads so many individuals into states of hopelessness. We must provide opportunities for our young and growing adults to learn to express themselves and develop core strengths, and to learn the important coping skills in life that take practice to establish. We need to teach growth mindset and resilience, and provide healthy outlets to release stress, along with a safe place to discuss painful and traumatic experiences – as a regular aspect of their lives. By necessity, government programs and policies must be created and/or properly funded to increase access to mental health care for individuals who need additional support in the form of treatment.
However, individuals that do seek help, so often challenged with major depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder, and who are receiving medication still suffer from suicidal ideation.“About one in five patients with major depressive disorder experienced high or fluctuating suicidal ideation despite receiving antidepressant treatment for 12 weeks, according to results published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”. Which partly explains why suicide is such a great problem globally. Even individuals who are seeking mental health treatment may not benefit from traditional psychiatric medications. Thankfully, there are new and more effective tools available to us that relieve individuals of these symptoms of suicidal ideation.
Ketamine infusion therapy, and especially Ketamine assisted psychotherapy, provides proven results and great promise for overcoming the epidemic of suicide. Of patients who have tried ketamine infusion therapy, over 95% have reported that suicidal ideation abated after just one infusion. That is amazing promise for individuals who are suffering greatly. Using this effective treatment method in combination with lifestyle changes, and wellness strategies (in addition to other prescribed treatments as needed) provides a lifeline for individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts. We at Ketamine Health Centers are dedicated to providing cutting edge treatment that works. By offering this new medical tool, we help our clients find relief as they begin to open up a space in their lives to continue the deeper work of holistic living. Call or set up an appointment today for a free consultation to learn more about Ketamine infusion treatment and how it can help you find your path to wellness.
by Isbel Cruz-Chaudhry | Aug 27, 2019 | Anxiety, CRPS/RSD, Depression, Fibromyalgia, General, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, PTSD
The month of August is National Wellness Month. An appropriate time of year to take stock of where we stand and where we’re heading in life. In the short term, as we start to gear up for an often-hectic fall season, it’s vitally important to evaluate how our needs have changed over the year, and how we can best meet them now. Yet also looking at our long-term goals and setting new sights for the years to come. A helpful way to begin this reflective process is by focusing on eight wellness dimensions. Because one’s well-being is so much more than reaching and maintaining physical and emotional health. Holistic wellness requires that we focus on all aspects of living to help establish meaning and purpose. This process is especially important for young adults in a critical period of their lives – perhaps starting college this month. A time when the choices made either open doors to a bright future or takes one down dead-end roads that require more time and energy to reroute from.
The eight areas of emphasis are the Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Occupational, Physical, Social and Spiritual dimensions of wellness. An introspective focus on each of these aspects of our lives can lead to genuine happiness. The foundational ground of wellness centers on the mind body soul connections that shape and are shaped by our unique niches in the natural/material world; and both guide and are guided by the inner worlds that we inhabit as we grow into our authentic Self. This 8-dimensional web produces a system of self-care that rounds out our needs and desires, and shapes our actions with a goal-oriented vision.
Our Physical health is determined by our genetics, our diet, our ways of being in the world. And of course, is the most immediate and foundational ground for wellness. Also, perhaps the easiest check on our well-being because of the many ways we can measure and improve it. From this ground flows all the other points that allow us to self-actualize as we grow. Each dimension carries its own weight in establishing meaningful directions in our life.
Emotional wellness is the sphere most influenced by all the others, as we learn to mitigate the pressures each of us face. Different for all because of the varying physical, environmental and social factors. Building up our character strengths and learning to honor our unique gifts (our emotional intelligence) prepares us for life’s endless challenges. When we’re filled with purpose, we use our talents to help others, however indirectly it may be, which ties into our Environmental, Social and Spiritual wellness checks. These three dimensions are shaped by our interactions, our relationships with others, with the divine, with the world around us.
Focusing in on our relationships with others, and with our connections to nature and the spiritual ground of our existence, helps us hone our physical & emotional needs. Which the cultural and social institutions that we establish for ourselves can either bolster or strip away. Each of us requires a healthy and robust environment to help support our dietary and mental health goals; underpinned by traditions (often spiritual in nature) and institutions that allow us to find our purpose and make a difference in this world.
The wellness dimensions that we can shape perhaps most directly with our unique experiences are those of our Financial, Intellectual and Occupational frameworks. Intellectual wellbeing is not simply shaped by our cognitive and mental health development, but also by our values and how we come to understand the world and our place in it. Especially important for young adults, as it is fundamental to our continual growth, is to view knowledge as an end goal; not simply a means to financial wellbeing. Occupational wellness involves not just finding fulfilling work that allows you to use your intellect and provides financial stability. More importantly, your career or favorite hobby should allow you to develop your capabilities to happily enjoy life and provide meaning and purpose. Financial wellness opens the door to help bolster emotional and physical health for us and our families. We come full circle to growing our core self by using our unique attributes. Financial wellness also involves planning for our future goals, and responsibly using our wealth (however limited) to continue the work of self-growth, caring for others, and creating a joyful and fulfilling life.
Ketamine Health Centers is committed to helping individuals work through their challenges and establish wellness in all dimensions of life.
by Developer | Jul 17, 2019 | Anxiety, CRPS/RSD, Depression, Fibromyalgia, General, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, PTSD
We are entering that lull brought on by the intense heat of midsummer that forces you to slow your Self down; to breathe more deeply, more intentionally to break through the malaise. Despacito (slowly) and purposefully, let’s take a moment to reflect on the way in which our rhythms, that of our bodies and of our days, respond to energy around us. This time of year it is important to eat more fresh, cold fruits and dishes that juxtapose against the slow simmer of a summer day. Especially with the ever so hectic rhythm of our daily lives, which take us away from moments of reflection and calm that refresh our mind and spirit. A cold fruit drink to spring our bodies back from the slump of the heat, embracing the coolness as it coats us, is one way to re-energize our body.
So too can we help our minds refocus on the present when we let go of our preoccupations with the what-ifs of our past. For some of us, finding the peaceful calm to enjoy life’s present moment can be a greater challenge. It eludes us, or moves over us too quickly to positively harness it to our psychic needs. Often times we simply do not hear the rhythm of our spirit loudly enough to know what those needs are. Establishing a space to hear our bodies and minds speak our spiritual truth is a lifelong process. Creating that meditative rhythm takes time and practice. But it is by virtue of surpassing that threshold that one reaches a state of embodiment, when our mind, body and soul begin to align and create a synergistic energy within us. One that provides new perspective of our Self and our surroundings. That meditative state can come from many pleasurable activities beyond what you think of when meditation is mentioned. It’s not just the cross-legged yogi stance. Meditative walking, walking with a focus on one’s breathing and body rhythm is a great way to enjoy nature and harness additional health benefits. Music and art therapies bring the mind into focus, aligning our energies with expressive modes of being. Eating slowing, with purpose, mindfully enjoying each texture, sensing each flavor, brings a new pleasure to what can be a mundane activity. Despacito, slowly enjoying the small pleasures of life with mindful intention reenergizes us.
Still for others, additional help may be needed to open up our synapses to the anticipation of pleasure, and Ketamine infusion treatment can help. A press release put out by the National Institute of Health a few years ago highlights the promising treatment that Ketamine infusion provides for individuals who suffer from anhedonia (the loss of the ability to look forward to pleasurable activities). Ketamine infusions help by boosting activity inthe dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and related circuitry. Creating that space for meditative and pleasure-seeking activities is possible for individuals facing depression, PTSD and other mental health challenges. Please contact one of our offices today for a free consultation to learn how Ketamine infusion, and other treatments offered at Ketamine Health Centers, can help you or your loved one.
by Isbel Cruz-Chaudhry | Jun 19, 2019 | Anxiety, CRPS/RSD, Depression, Fibromyalgia, General, PTSD
Ketamine infusion therapy has shown to be a remarkable new tool for physicians who help patients facing very challenging mental health issues. Our clients regularly share their sentiments of relief at finally finding a treatment that works for them after so many years of failed therapies. We are especially happy to hear their success stories and examples of transformations after treatment. But Ketamine infusion therapy by itself has a drawback in the length of time the treatment is effective. It has a somewhat low efficacy rate unless infusions are combined with other lifestyle changes or therapeutic methods.
One of the best ways to increase the healing possibilities that Ketamine infusions can provide is to include it with traditional psychotherapy, talk therapy if you will, in order to assist the patient on several fronts. A therapist helps guide a patient through the process more directly. And provides a safety anchor for those who experience anxiety or negative feelings that can emerge during an infusion session. Especially as one begins to do the psychological work and delve deeper in order to uncover the core factors that contribute to one’s current state of health. Therapist as guide is a very important part of the healing process for patients suffering from depression and PTSD, in particular.
There is a reassuring sense that one can let go more easily, as well, if there is a guide to ensure our safety. It gives us permission to take more risks in what we allow ourselves to see and come to understand. During Ketamine assisted psychotherapy the patient will likely encounter imagery and sensations that do not make a world of sense at times. Including an interpreter in the process can be very helpful, and can lead to cathartic moments if one is able to see what our psyche is trying to show us more clearly. A therapist can help interpret some of those symbols with you and more fully explore their deeper meanings.
We have tried to have patients write down their experiences after an infusion treatment and, or simply, discuss with the attending physician what they experienced. But many cannot find the words to recreate the imagery once they are out of a session. It seems to flow best, and provide more for the therapist to work with, when a patient can share their experiences in mid-session. Not having to rely on memory, but instead on metaphor.
These sessions can open a door to new insights and perspectives that one may not come to understand as quickly, or at all perhaps, if done alone. But during Ketamine assisted psychotherapy one can move further in-depth to better understand the factors at play. Or at the very least open new patterns of thought, given new perspectives, which can motive necessary lifestyle changes.
Ketamine assisted psychotherapy can provide tremendous healing potential for numerous ailments. Especially if one can couple it with meditation prior to beginning a treatment session. This practice improves the efficacy of the treatment by helping patients create a healing space in the mind made possible through the meditative arts. Together Ketamine assisted psychotherapy and meditation can lead to longer lasting effects of treatment for all patients. Call today, or set up an appointment online at, one of our Ketamine Health Centers and find out how to expand your current treatment plan to include Ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
by Isbel Cruz-Chaudhry | May 20, 2019 | Anxiety, CRPS/RSD, Depression, Fibromyalgia, General, PTSD
Ketamine Health Centers is dedicated to helping individuals find relief from chronic pain and various mental health conditions. We are here to help especially in cases where individuals have not responded to previous treatment methods or medications. Each client is treated as a unique individual and we tailor our treatment plans accordingly. People love to say these days, “You’re no snowflake,” meaning you are not as special as you think you are.
But yes, indeed you are!
Each individual is unique. Not only in regards to the physical and emotional development that varies for each one of us, marking out our differences. But also looking at how medicine and various treatments affect our bodies and minds. Medical research for some time was ruled by the notion of a ‘magic bullet’ cure all. We now understand the nuances that gender and ethnicity bring to the table. Psychiatry suffered the same myopic views, and perhaps still does to some extent. Yet, we are beginning to better assess how our environment affects our wellbeing, as well as how each person’s temperament and physiology affects states of mind. My partner, for example, does not benefit from pain medication, most all forms of pain management have little to no effect on his neurophysiology. What I find most fascinating are studies of the effect of positive thinking on healing. Witnessing how an individual can speed up the healing process and gain strength through the power of positivity (read this short John Hopkins piece on The Power of Positive Thinking). That is quite special indeed! Perhaps, though, not as unique a quality. We can all learn to think more positively, even if we are not born with that rosy temperament.
Mental health providers are beginning to assess the effects of the therapeutic setting in relation to the efficacy of various forms of alternative treatment methods. If you can mitigate the stress that you carry into a therapy session with meditative music or a calming space that exudes the benefits of aromatherapy, then you can calmly and more openly experience its healing effects. Presumably, the efficacy of the treatment will persist longer. The lasting effects of any form of treatment also depends on how proactive each individual is in changing different facets of their lifestyle, especially important when working through addiction and depression.
We at Ketamine Health Centers honor each client’s unique place in time, and provide an in-depth evaluation that helps us tailor treatment accordingly. You are a snowflake, and we honor that! We offer alternative treatment procedures that have proven highly effective for most individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Individuals that respond well to ketamine infusion treatment feel results immediately. Making it possible to establish a tailored plan more quickly after the initial session shows positive response to treatment. In addition, KHC provides esketamine treatment (Spravato is a fast-acting nasal spray) and TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) treatment as possible tools to work through each client’s needs, as determined by the initial evaluation and follow-up sessions. TMS has proven effective for individuals with medication-resistant depression, and studies are ongoing to determine its efficacy for children and adolescents. To learn more about these alternative treatments to medication-resistant depression and other mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and addiction (or to find relief from chronic pain), contact one of our Florida clinics today. Our team at Ketamine Health Centers will provide a free consultation to explore your unique circumstances.
by Isbel Cruz-Chaudhry | Mar 19, 2019 | Anxiety, CRPS/RSD, Depression, Fibromyalgia, General, PTSD
Spring gives rise to moments of renewal essential to the perpetual rhythm of life. The energy it provides is powerful as it awakens nature from its winter slumber. Springtime means days grow longer, until the summer equinox, giving us opportunity to enjoy an evening stroll again, rejuvenating our senses with the sights of nature blooming and the sounds of new life at every corner. It marks a period in nature when drastic oscillations between cold and warm air currents meet generating great storms. We see in nature the effects of a dynamic system where disruptive patterns bring new synergy and growth. But we also know, through the rhythmic patterns of the Earth that it’s cyclical. We can prepare for it. We can do our best to mitigate it, but in the end we have to ride out the storms and pick-up the pieces where necessary.
Each of us experiences similar disruptions in our mental and emotional states of wellbeing. We are not immune to the stresses that bombard us from all around. There are moments of disruptions that are equally important for our growth and development for they challenge us and help us develop our strength of character. Adversity leads to growth, but must be tempered by a holistic perspective to see the patterns that emerge. With awareness and appropriate action, we are able to mitigate the stresses as best we can. Yet, in the end we need tenacity to ride out the storm, and then learn life’s valuable lessons as we pick-up the necessary pieces.
Love, support, and self-forgiveness are crucial components to mitigate these emotional storms. And the holistic perspective we need comes from honoring our mind-body-spiritual connections that shape us and influence how we experience our life. When we strengthen our minds we are focusing on our inner wellbeing using introspection to learn from our daily experiences – growing our relationships and love of self and others, and all that supports us. When we strengthen our bodies we provide it the energy to thrive through nutrition and exercise, and our physical connections with nature and its source. We feel good when our bodies are in tune in all facets. When we can bring balance to our mind/body connection with a deeper understanding of the interplay between myself, others around me and the environment that shapes us, we grow our spiritual ground. This holistic balance allows one to develop a strong sense of self and purpose in daily life that springs forth meaning and happiness out of the everyday.
Traumatic stress, and at times the structures of our own minds and bodies, compromises us and makes it hard to benefit from the disruptive flow that is a necessary part of life. We all need support to mitigate the storms, yet some individuals have tried various kinds of support and still have not found their path to wellness. Ketamine Health Centers can help you find your path through alternative treatment methods for depression, pain management and a myriad of ailments. Ketamine infusions are proven to generate new states of awareness that led to more holistic perspectives. Please contact us today for a free consultation and learn how Ketamine Health Centers can help you, or a loved one, find new effective forms of support.
