Suicidality Q & A

Suicidality, also called suicidal ideation, involves serious thoughts, plans, or attempts at taking your own life. People who make a suicide plan are at higher risk of attempting and completing suicide. 

Often stemming from persistent feelings of hopelessness and negative thoughts, suicide may seem like the only way to end unbearable pain. The team at the Ketamine Clinic of Spokane offers a life-saving solution that may provide relief from suicidality within a few hours.

People come to think about suicide for various reasons, and many causes for suicidality remain unknown. You may be at increased risk of suicidal ideation if you have certain mental health conditions, including:

• Major depressive disorder (depression)
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Substance abuse

Living with chronic pain from an ongoing condition like migraines may also increase your risk of suicidality. 

Research shows that a single intravenous infusion of ketamine leads to a rapid reduction in suicidal ideation that lasts for at least seven days. This may create enough time for your mental health provider to effectively intervene and prevent suicide from happening. 

Widely used as an anesthetic since the ’60s, ketamine effectively treats moderate to severe mental health symptoms that don’t respond to medications and psychotherapy. Ketamine acts on your brain’s N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and has prompt antidepressant effects.

As the only ketamine provider in Eastern Washington, the team at the Ketamine Clinic of Spokane helps many adults and teenagers recover from suicidality. But if you’re thinking about harming yourself right now, you should go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Don’t wait for an appointment. 

Although you may notice a significant improvement after the first infusion, most people need six treatments in a three week period for optimal relief. The team at the Ketamine Clinic of Spokane offers financing options. They also provide a discount to members of the military and first responders. Review our pricing here.

If you or a loved one experiences suicidality, call the Ketamine Clinic of Spokane today.

INITIALIZING TREATMENT

• We will perform a brief interview and physical assessment to make sure nothing has changed with your physical condition.
• We will ask you to use the restroom and then get comfortable in our quiet, peaceful treatment area.
• An IV line will be started to infuse the medication. You will be connected to all of our monitoring equipment before we begin.
• We will be monitoring your vital signs during the entire infusion.
• The infusion time will be approximately 40 minutes. During this time we will not disturb you. However, we will be observing you to ensure your safety. You may listen to music and relax as it feels best to you.
• When the infusion ends, we will monitor you for any adverse side effects and ensure that you are adequately recovered prior to going home.

DAY OF TREATMENT

• Please wear clothes that are comfortable and also provide full access to your arms.
• Feel free to bring some music to listen to during your infusion.
• Most patients feel it helps or enhances the treatment if they don’t speak and close their eyes during the infusion.
• You will need to have someone accompany you and stay during your treatment. They will also be required to drive you home afterward.
• You may not eat anything 6 hours prior or drink anything for 2 hours prior to your infusion or we may need to reschedule your treatment.

OPTIMIZING YOUR TREATMENT

• Coordinating with your MHP is one of the best ways to optimize your treatment.
• Benzodiazepines can ‘compete’ with Ketamine. To get the best benefit, it is best to discontinue this class of drugs before treatment.
• Be prepared to be in a quiet and comfortable space for at least 1 ½ hours following your infusion.
• We recommend a series of six infusions to be given within 3 weeks. Our team will be with you every step of the way to ensure your treatment has the best chance of success.
• After the initial series of infusions, many patients only require an occasional top-up or ‘booster’ according to their individual needs – ranging from once a month to once a year depending on when and if your symptoms  for some conditions reoccur.