You have a friend or perhaps a significant other who has decided to undergo ketamine infusions. You may be all about ketamine or you may be skeptical; all are valid reactions and we’ve seen them all.
But let’s cut to the chase – this isn’t about you. This is about your loved one. They have been dealing with depression, anxiety and/or PTSD, as well as mental and/or physical pain. Perhaps you have been witness to it, have had your life affected by it, or are vaguely aware of it. Regardless, your loved one has decided on their own to try ketamine infusions.
Whether they say it or not, your loved one is going to look to you for support. So how can you support them while they receive ketamine infusions?
Here are 3 ways:
1. Keep An Open Mind
Your loved one has decided to go for this. Don’t let your disbelief or skepticism discourage them. Your words are powerful. Ketamine infusions create incremental shifts and changes, and sometimes the road to recovery and healing takes the full, complete course of infusions. They can feel discouraged sometimes after the first infusion. This is normal! Be level headed and positive. Be their cheerleader or shoulder to lean on. Keep in mind, unsupportive words and actions can make an already bumpy road even more difficult to navigate.
2. Provide And Hold Space
A lot can come up during the infusion for your loved one. They can remember repressed traumatic events. They may be feeling emotions they have suppressed for years, amongst many other things. They may tell you some really out there things like they died or saw deceased relatives. Hold space for your loved one to share these thoughts by listening actively and without judgement. Be aware of what comes up for you when they share these things with you and perhaps save sharing your thoughts for another time. Simply listen. Allowing them to share their experience and the thoughts and feelings they have after the infusions is part of the healing processes.
Now, if you don’t feel you want to or are incapable to hold space for then, or even if you do feel capable, you can encourage them to talk with a professional such as a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist about what they are processing.
3. Be Their Ride & A Second Pair of Ears
A simple way you can support them is to be their ride to and from the clinic. Be both physically and mentally present for them to support with their preparation for the infusions (some clinics like ours recommend avoiding and doing certain things before the infusions to support the infusion experience). You can be there to hear about discharge instructions or ask the clinic staff questions about things you should watch out for as you support your loved one.
Your physical availability and actions alone can be tremendously supportive!
Related questions:
What is it like to get a ketamine infusion?
Depending on the dose of ketamine and for how long you receive the infusion, your friend or loved one may experience anything from being more aware of how their body feels, quieting of the mind, and/or feelings of love and gratitude, all the way to feeling connecting to the Universe/God, death of their ego, and reliving past experiences from a different perspective.
Learn more about what it’s like to receive a ketamine infusion here.
How will my loved one feel after a ketamine infusion?
Many patients take 20-30 minutes to recover after the infusion. They may feel a little tired, notice a mild difficulty in walking, or even “cloudy thinking” for a few hours after. We recommend taking it easy, and having a relaxing day following the infusion. The staff won’t send home a patient who isn’t safely ready to leave the clinic.
What should I watch out for after my loved one’s ketamine infusion?
Physically, they may experience some mild nausea (usually the clinic has some strategy to address this for the patient prior to leaving). Mostly, you may notice they seem tired, more relaxed, and/or perhaps a bit dreamy. They may be more introspective thinking about their experience, or for some may be very excited by their experience and have a desire to tell you all about it. This is where steps 1 and 2 can help you out! If you are worried about serious medical emergencies or side effects of the ketamine you need to keep an eye out for, most of the serious ones occur during the infusion in the safety of the clinic. However, if you notice your loved one acting very much out of their normal self or physically debilitated, go to your closest emergency room.
Learn more about the side effects of ketamine in the video below:
We hope this helps you support your loved one as they go through this transformative journey!
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IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY, PTSD, DEPRESSION, OCD, MIGRAINES, FIBROMYALGIA, OR CHRONIC PAIN, PLEASE CONTACT US NOW FOR A CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU WOULD BE AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR KETAMINE INFUSIONS.
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