How Ketamine Cured My Depression and Offered Hope
Shawn Snyder has battled depression for most of her life. She had come to believe that suicide was her last option. But a few months ago a friend suggested ketamine therapy as a means to overcome. Five treatments later, Shawn could immediately tell a difference. “The ketamine treatment has been the best thing — better than my antidepressants,” she said. “And literally, I do not think of suicide now as an option.”
From her childhood days as a military brat in elementary schools in Belgium, Shawn struggled to fit in. She attended the DoD military school and later was enrolled in a strict French school choosing to participate in destructive behavior as her cry for help. Coupled with other childhood trauma, Shawn began suffering with depression.
In 1988, Shawn married in an attempt to escape, and began seeking professional relief from depression — determined to battle her demons. She met with psychiatrists and therapists, attended group counseling, and was prescribed numerous antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications. While acknowledging that they helped in part, she could never get out from under the looming cloud of grey.
Nine years later, Shawn would have to accept the fact that her marriage wasn’t going to last, and her feelings of failure led to a deeper depression.
In 2010 she suffered a traumatic brain injury at work, cracking her skull and resulting in multiple hematomas, vertigo and concussion symptoms such as memory loss, mood swings, dysautonomia, and severe depression. Workers compensation was denied. She eventually lost her home and moved in with her parents.
Nearly two years ago, Shawn’s mother passed away, adding to her emptiness.
Five months later her boyfriend finished his life. In the midst of her sorrow Shawn would acknowledge that she didn’t see the flags but that “I totally understand what he went through. I can’t be angry at him. I get it.”
Suicide was an option now more than ever.
In March a friend told Shawn about Ketamine Therapy – a relatively new treatment for depression. Ketamine treatments are not covered by insurance and can be pricey, so a few days later on a Friday morning, Shawn visited her bank, secured a loan, and called Virginia Ketamine Therapy to schedule a consultation. An opening just happened to be available that same afternoon, and ketamine treatments were scheduled to begin on Monday the following week.
At the appointment, Shawn was pretty straightforward, “I told Dr. Newman that it’s this or suicide.”
At Virginia Ketamine Therapy, treatments are given by IV and usually last around 90 minutes long. Depression treatments are typically five days in a row to maintain a consistent flow of ketamine in order to provide the most benefit. Most patients see little to no side effects during and following the infusions.
At her first treatment, Shawn felt “loopy.” “Your mind goes in, like [the movie] Lucy. You just feel like you’re zooming in and you can touch and manipulate colors and words. It’s so weird.”
“By the third day of treatment, I could truly say that I noticed a change. I just know that I felt calmer, like there was a relaxing of weight. By the end of the week, I could look back at things and not be so critical about them. [The ketamine] made it not so raw. And literally, I did not think of suicide as an option. I’m so grateful.”
Shawn was hesitant at first to try ketamine infusions since it is a relatively new treatment for depression and is considered off-label for that purpose. There are only an estimated 150 – 300 Ketamine Clinics in the United States.
“I’m just amazed and almost appalled that it’s not available more readily,” she said. “I’m seriously considering looking into doing some type of fundraiser or awareness for people. Because when you’re so depressed, you’re so locked into your own world. “There are people that are suffering, and we don’t know about it. And they just suffer through life. And they don’t have to. So basically, God needs to rain down Ketamine.”
Studies from Yale research labs have shown that Ketamine triggers glutamate production, which, in a complex, cascading series of events, prompts the brain to form new neural connections. This makes the brain more adaptable and able to create new pathways, and gives patients the opportunity to develop more positive thoughts and behaviors. This particular effect had not been seen before, even with traditional antidepressants. (https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/ketamine-depression/)
Since Ketamine Therapy is not covered by insurance, the treatments do not require a referral, prior authorizations or any other proof of prior medications. This is a bonus for individuals in the workplace where visiting a therapist might reflect poorly on their employment. Ketamine infusions are just between you and your doctor.
Shawn supplements her ketamine treatment with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), reading the book, Mindfulness, and spending time in prayer.
“I always say to myself, you know what? Let’s just lean back and just focus on God for a little bit. Because He’s providing the medicine. He’s providing the tubing that the medicine comes in. You’re just so grateful.”
She has been able to return to work with some semblance of normalcy. And if the ketamine wears off? “Dr. Newman told me, if you feel that you’ve plateaued and you’re starting to fall again, you could come back for another treatment. That is a lifesaver… And the safety net now.”
Virginia Ketamine Therapy is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Dr. Mark Newman is a board certified anesthesiologist and pain management physician.
If you have questions about ketamine therapy or would like to inquire about scheduling an appointment, we’d love to hear from you today. You can call us at (757) 258-2561, email us at info@vaketaminetherapy.com or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back in touch with you.
