CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — If you broke your arm, naturally you’d see a doctor to help repair the bone and manage the pain while healing. Why should treating your anxiety or depression be any different?
Dr. Eric Evans, owner of Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center, recognizes that seeking treatment for mental health disorders still carries a stigma for many people. But just like any physical injury or illness, there are effective treatments and compassionate care available.
“Mental health is often put on the back burner, yet it affects every aspect of our lives,” he said. “Physical health allows us to live well, but mental health gives us something to live for.”
How ketamine works
An emerging science in the field of mental health, ketamine represents hope and healing for people living with depression and other mental health disorders. Desert Sands Ketamine stands at the forefront of this cutting-edge therapy.
Ketamine is administered by IV infusion, a process that usually takes about 40 minutes. During that time, the patient enters a dream-like state of altered reality. Evans said people frequently describe a feeling of being in touch with their inner self and the ability to gain powerful insight into deeply rooted emotional issues.
Patients often experience improvement in baseline mood after their first infusion. At Desert Sands Ketamine, the patient journey always begins with a free consultation to discuss their issues and determine if ketamine is right for them. Infusions are tailored to suit each person’s unique needs for the best possible results.
The Desert Sands difference
Patients shouldn’t trust just any ketamine provider with their therapy. Desert Sands Ketamine is a physician-driven practice recognized as the Best of Southern Utah in 2021, winning gold in alternative therapies as well as silver in the behavioral/mental health treatment category.
The clinic offers a spa-like, comfortable healing environment with compassionate staff who are dedicated to helping patients achieve the best results possible. Patients also have access to resources for improving all aspects of well-being, including dietary guidance, meditation, massage therapy, relationship counseling and talk therapy.
“Every person has such a unique story and set of issues that they’re dealing with,” Evans said. “We try to use a complete approach to each patient.”
Overcoming anxiety and depression
Rather than working to elevate levels of serotonin or dopamine like antidepressants, ketamine boosts a chemical known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which plays an essential role in regulating moods and emotions. Studies conducted by Yale University have found ketamine to be effective in approximately 70% of people with treatment-resistant depression, a significantly higher success rate than prescription drugs and talk therapy.
Highly effective and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients, ketamine is a virtual “wonder drug” for treating anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and more. Evans, a board-certified anesthesiologist with more than 25 years of experience, said he’s never been more excited about the possibilities of a medicine.
“Ketamine has been nothing short of miraculous for a lot of people in our clinic,” he added. “With ketamine, people can wake up in the morning and joy is a possibility for them again.”
Working through trauma
Trauma is a common thread among ketamine patients. Whether experienced during childhood or adulthood, unresolved trauma negatively impacts mental health and often manifests as depression, anxiety or PTSD.
PTSD can result from emotional, physical or sexual abuse, turbulent family relationships, loss of a loved one, addiction, violence and many other distressing experiences. Ketamine assists with the process of working through the mental blockages that often surround traumatic memories. In many cases, counseling becomes more effective as patients can discuss painful emotions with greater clarity.
“Ketamine can really help open a patient’s mind to be more receptive, helping them change their way of thinking about a particular topic,” Evans said. “It’s very difficult to get outside of ourselves and be open to new suggestions and looking at issues in a different way, and that’s what this therapy is really great at.”
As a native of the St. George area, Evans said his desire to give back to the community through Desert Sands Ketamine truly comes from his heart. He is committed to helping patients rediscover joy and fulfillment in life.
“There’s a huge need in Southern Utah,” he said. “I just want to reach out to as many people as I can.”
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit the Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center website or call 435-522-5190.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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Resources
- Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center | Address: 346 E. 600 South, St. George | Telephone: 435-522-5190 | Email: [email protected] | Website.
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