A qualitative study of patients' experience of ketamine treatment for depression: The ‘Ketamine and me’ project
Chris Griffiths, Kate Walker, Isabel Reid, Ksenija Maravic da Silva, Alex O’neill-kerr
Journal of Affective Disorders Reports January 15, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100079 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn-depth interviews with 13 people diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression who received ketamine infusions revealed a typical pattern: an initial dissociative 'high' and enhanced perception, followed by a lifting of mood and reduction or removal of suicidal ideation and depression symptoms lasting 3–6 days. This led to increased motivation, socialization, and activity. All participants valued the therapeutic alliance with clinicians and advocated for treatment access for those unresponsive to other therapies. Ketamine can be potentially life-transforming for some, though it is not tolerated or effective for everyone. Small sample size and single-site recruitment limit generalizability.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13 |
| Population | Patients diagnosed with treatment resistant depression (TRD) with experience of receiving ketamine treatment for depression |
| Intervention | Ketamine infusion |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Dissociative Depression economics Clinical psychology Qualitative research |
| Citations | 26 |
| Key finding | Ketamine infusion for treatment-resistant depression typically produces an initial dissociative experience followed by a 3-6 day reduction in depression symptoms and suicidal ideation, with patients valuing the therapeutic alliance and advocating for broader access. |
Abstract
There has been a lack of in-depth interviews investigating patient experience of ketamine treatment for depression. We examined participants’ pathways to receiving ketamine infusion to treat their depression, and their responses to, lived experiences of, and attitudes towards ketamine treatment. Qualitative methods were used to conduct in-depth interviews with 13 patients (6 male; 7 female) diagnosed with treatment resistant depression (TRD) with experience of receiving ketamine treatment for depression. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed. For the majority of participants ketamine infusion causes a reported initial ‘high’, enhanced perception, and dissociative experience; followed by a lifting of mood and a reduction in or removal of suicidal ideation and depression symptoms lasting around 3–6 days. This leads to a reported increase in motivation, socialisation, and activity. All participants valued the therapeutic alliance with clinicians which enhanced the treatment experience and all advocated treatment access for those with depression who have not responded to other treatments. Small numbers, purposive sample, participant self-selection, and single site recruitment limit generalisability. Ketamine for depression can have many beneficial effects, and it is potentially life-transforming for some. Ketamine may be a source of hope for patients for whom other treatments have not been effective. For some, ketamine is not tolerated or does not have anti-depressive effects. Further qualitative in-depth exploration of patient experience and consideration of how ketamine depression treatment access can be appropriately made available are warranted.