Ketamine treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant depression: longitudinal qualitative interview study of patient experiences
BJPsych Open January 1, 2021 Karen Lascelles, Lisa Marzano, Fiona Brand et al. 20 citations
Twelve fee-paying patients with treatment-resistant depression (ages 21–70, six women and six men, most reporting suicidality and some reporting self-harm) were interviewed before, during, and months after starting ketamine treatment in a routine clinic. Nearly all experienced mood improvement after initial treatments, ranging from negligible to dramatic, and eight reported reduced suicidality. Improvements were generally transitory; two patients had sustained consistent benefit and two had sustained but limited improvement. Some described hopelessness when treatment stopped working, and three experienced increased suicidal ideation. Side-effects were common and significant for two patients. Treatment cost and lack of longer-term benefit were problematic. Suggestions included closer monitoring and adjunctive therapy.