CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Many people approach the holidays expecting to feel merry and bright, but that isn’t always realistic. You may be struggling to get into the spirit of the season if you suffer from anxiety or depression. You’re not alone, and Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center is here to help.
Interior of the Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
At Desert Sands Ketamine, Dr. Eric Evans uses ketamine infusion therapy to provide rapid relief and lasting improvement for people living with clinical depression, clinical anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health disorders. Many patients have experienced remarkable, even life-changing, results.
“Ketamine can help people feel more connected to others and more in the moment instead of anxiety-ridden about the future or the past,” he said. “It works in some very interesting ways to help people feel more peaceful and more grounded.”
Break away from the “winter blues”
If you’re feeling especially downhearted this holiday season, it may be more than just the so-called “winter blues.” Seasonal affective disorder impacts millions of Americans every year and is characterized by mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue and social withdrawal. Symptoms typically start in the fall and continue through the winter.
Evans said it’s impossible to overstate the impact that colder temperatures, reduced sunlight and fewer opportunities to participate in outdoor activities can have on mental well-being. If you’ve been experiencing worsening depression and things aren’t getting any better, now might be the time to explore new treatment options.
“This time of year is particularly difficult for anyone already facing challenges with their mental health,” he added. “If your current treatment plan isn’t enough to keep your mood and motivation balanced, consider adding ketamine to your toolbox.”
Understanding the science behind ketamine
Since the 1950s, physicians have treated depressed patients with a specific solution in mind: increasing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine to boost mood. Scientists have believed for decades that depression is caused by a lack of these chemicals, yet roughly 30% of patients don’t respond to any type of treatment.
Ketamine targets the amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for processing moods and emotions in the conscious mind, to elevate levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Evans pointed to ongoing research at Yale University that indicates depression and other mental health disorders are caused by a shortage of this protein. Ketamine has demonstrated a success rate of 70% in clinical trials, nearly double that of antidepressants.
Finding hope and healing
Ketamine lays the foundation to reshape detrimental thought and behavior patterns with the help of additional resources, including counseling and antidepressants. Offering lasting results with virtually no side effects, Evans said he’s never been more excited about the possibilities of a medicine.
“It 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.”
Experience the Desert Sands difference
Dr. Eric Evans and Shannon Evans, owners of Desert Sands Medical Clinics, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Patients shouldn’t trust just any ketamine provider with their treatment, however. Desert Sands Ketamine is a physician-driven practice, and Evans personally meets with every patient for a consultation to discuss their issues and determine if ketamine is right for them. Recognized by Best of Southern Utah voters as the community’s leading ketamine provider, the clinic recently won a silver medal in the behavioral/mental health treatment category for the third consecutive year; they also earned gold for alternative therapies in 2021.
Evans created Desert Sands Ketamine to offer new hope to people living with depression and other mental health disorders. The clinic offers a spa-like, comfortable healing environment with caring and compassionate staff who are dedicated to helping patients achieve the best results possible. Patients also have access to resources for improving all aspects of their well-being, including dietary guidance, meditation, massage therapy, relationship counseling and talk therapy.
“We try to use a complete approach to each person,” Evans said. “Our goal is to help you get back to living a passionate, rewarding and productive life as quickly as possible.”
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: info@desertsandsketamine.com | Website.
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