mindfulness, therapy, young woman smelling wild flowers
Gaylen Bendewald, LCSW-PIP

Finding Inner Peace Through Mindfulness

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The beauty of mindfulness is that it can help you uncover greater degrees of inner peace. I use the terms awareness and mindfulness interchangeably though I find awareness to be more descriptive of what we’re looking for as we walk through the introduction of practicing mindfulness below. 

Inner peace is the springboard for many positive emotions – joy, contentment, humor, satisfaction of one’s life, freedom, lightness of being. These all begin at the doorstep of peace. 

Mindfulness is a little like swimming in the ocean. You can go as deep as you want. This article goes ankle deep. It is up to you how far you want to take it from there. 

Our Thoughts vs. Our Selves

If you break down the sentence “I have a thought”, we see that an “I” has a “thought”. We don’t customarily think about the “I” and the “thought” as two separate things. However, if we challenge our mind to look at these separately, we begin to understand that thoughts are something that “I” have. Technically, one could say, I am not my thoughts. 

As a culture, we’ve been taught to associate our identities with the thoughts that we have – the thoughts about ourselves and the stories we tell ourselves. Another way of looking at our identity is our awareness. And, I would suggest that our awareness is actually the deepest part of who we are. 

This is a new way for most of us to see ourselves. Where is it that we attach our identity? Is it in the awareness or is it in the thoughts we have?

That’s where we begin. We could ask, where do thoughts come from? Part of the goal of mindfulness is to become a student of our own thoughts. We consider:

  • How do thoughts serve us? 
  • Do we have to believe all of our thoughts? 
  • What’s the relationship between our awareness and our thoughts? 

Taking a Step Back

When I was a kid, my friends and I liked to go to the movie theater to see scary movies. To cope with our fears during the films, we learned to mentally take a step back from the screen when it got too frightening. If you think about that, that is a very unique, very human ability. Animals to our knowledge can’t do this. 

By taking a step back we can change what our mind focuses on. For example, I can focus on the lights, the reactions of the people around me, the smell of popcorn, the fact that I’m out with my friends to give my mind a break. Then, when I am ready, I can re-immerse myself in the film. This is a really nimble ability that we have to take a step in or out of our situation. 

This same idea of taking a step back is how we begin to practice mindfulness. 

Upsetting Thoughts Destroy Inner Peace

Upsetting thoughts disrupt inner peace. Everyone has upsetting thoughts at times and everyone has their own kind of upsetting thoughts. There are typically two different styles:

  • Anxious/worrisome thoughts
  • Angry/frustrating thoughts

Upsetting thoughts can come out of nowhere. When you have an upsetting thought, whether you realize it or not, you have the choice to pay attention to that thought or to let it pass. 

Thoughts are a lot like clouds. They come somewhere from the west, they’re in front of us, and then they disappear somewhere to the east. They are always in motion.

If we decide to pay attention to an upsetting thought, we pull it into our consciousness. Thoughts have a way of just moving through, but we have to deliberately pull it into our consciousness for us to focus on them. 

When we begin to focus on that upsetting thought, it triggers other anxious/worrisome thoughts, so we let that cloud grow in size. Again, you have the same choice to focus on them or let them pass. It takes effort to bring thoughts into focus. 

When we start having anxious/worrisome thoughts, it creates anxious/worrisome feelings. Once we begin to have anxious/worrisome feelings, it feels more real. Feelings have a greater depth to them which hook us more. That’s what we want to find, what hooks us.

It would be normal to have a generic upsetting thought, followed by an anxious thought, and then a discouraged/depressed thought. At each point in this progression, we have the choice to let it pass or follow it down the path. 

If I choose to follow my upsetting thoughts, I will end up with a completely cloudy sky. No longer aware that I am a thinker having thoughts, I become lost in my thoughts. 

Step 1: Notice Upsetting Thoughts

The first step to being a student of our thoughts is to simply notice when we are having an upsetting thought. 

By simply planting the intention of noticing when you are having upsetting thoughts, you will begin to notice when you are having upsetting thoughts. 

We need to nurture this ability on a daily basis, reminding ourselves to catch ourselves having upsetting thoughts. As you practice, you’ll get faster at identifying them. The more quickly you can identify them, the easier it is to stop them before they get momentum going. 

Step 2: Identify Whether Your Thoughts Are Useful or Useless

Once we get a hang of noticing upsetting thoughts, have some curiosity about your upsetting thoughts. See what they do. See what they create for you. 

Some questions to consider:

  • Is there a connected theme?
  • Are they helpful in some way?
  • How do your thoughts affect your inner peace?

We can’t presume that all thoughts are helpful. We can protect our inner peace by identifying when we are having upsetting thoughts and understanding if they are useful or useless to us. 

Step 2: Catch & Release Upsetting Thoughts 

We all experience events of life. And when we do, we create and react to the commentaries that we use to describe those events and dramas. We are meaning seeking creatures, so we create stories about these events. They may be positive, neutral, negative, and even hostile. 

When we react and create these commentaries, we have a choice. Put strongly, we can become victims of our own emotions and our thoughts about those comments, or we can take a step back and witness these storylines as they develop. As Mark Twain said, “I’m an old man and have known a great many problems, most of them never happened.”

As we take a step back, we allow our thoughts to fade into silence. Again, thoughts are always in motion. Our brains are made for thinking. Our thoughts are valuable tools in the right context. They are here to serve us, but they can lead us astray. 

Our goal is to simply be more aware of our thoughts and which ones are useful and which are useless to us. Not all thoughts are created equal.   

Some thoughts are stickier than others, and no one will be perfect at this. It’s a matter of doing what we can to not be reactive to all of those storylines our minds create. As we do this, we begin to find peace.

Step 3: Focus on the Present

I used to have a Golden Retriever named Max. He could be asleep, but if you threw a stick, he had to go fetch it. I’d suggest that he didn’t have a choice, he was bred for that. People have more freedom than that. We don’t have to fetch every thought that comes into our mind. 

If you observe your mind, you’ll notice that it might dwell in the past or fixate on the future. Our mind has no time to waste. It has to find things that are potential threats or look for problems to solve. This isn’t a bad thing unless it leads us to places we don’t need to go. We want to notice that we are having thoughts and evaluate whether our fixation on the past or future is helping or hurting us.

We can become more aware by focusing on the present. You’ll notice that our mind is easily bored. In stillness, it has a tendency to race about for something to fill it. One way to embrace the stillness is to take a few deep breaths. Breathing is naturally relaxing and allows us to ground ourselves in the present moment. 

The mind can be afraid to be present to now. It’s afraid of what might be perceived as emptiness, but we may find beauty and delight in emptiness. 

The mind is not prone to trust life. It tends to thrash about looking for potential threats. Our mind tends to over prepare, becoming vigilant. The mind is always looking to create meaning out of things so that it doesn’t have to deal with emptiness. It’s amazing the way we flee emptiness. It’s also ironic that it’s the least thing we need to fear. 

Meditations On Now

Something about now is nurturing. It tends to be overlooked. Now is present. It touches stillness, and is often joyful. There’s a lightness of being in now; it does not get lost in the outer circumferences of life, the outside trivias and dramas that don’t amount to much. There’s a serenity to now. Now demands nothing. It simply is. The experience of now is an experience of a deeper reality. Now can lead to an awareness of the connection to a greater whole. I am now. This last one is a little more than ankle deep in the ocean, but it’s worth some reflection. 

Practice Protecting Your Peace Every Day

We find inner peace by valuing inner peace. I protect my peace and sense of wellbeing from upsetting thoughts that aren’t worth engaging in. It’s a choice. It’s a deeply human choice. And, it’s where real freedom exists. 

Mindfulness is all about being nimble with what we choose to think. We don’t have to go to every place that our thoughts take us. We all have these abilities, we just need to be deliberate in using them. We need to remember to take a step back and ask ourselves, is this a thought worth having? 

Join Us for Group Therapy

Manlove Brain + Body Health is now offering group therapy sessions for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Learn more >

 

senior couple dancing in their home, TMS Therapy for Depression
Dr. Stephen Manlove

Medicare Increases Coverage of TMS Therapy for Depression

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A recent change in Medicare coverage will now make transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for depression much more accessible. After seeing the significant improvements in patients with treatment resistant depression along with its non-invasive nature and minimal side effects, Medicare will now cover TMS for patients with severe depression after failing just one antidepressant medication.  

Before this change Medicare – like most insurance companies –required that patients try 4 or more antidepressant medications before TMS would be covered. This change will help people with severe depression get the relief they need quickly. 

This will give severe depression patients a proven and non-medication treatment option to help them get their life back. 

We are hopeful that other insurance companies will follow Medicare’s lead to make TMS treatments for depression accessible to those who need them. 

What is TMS Therapy for Depression?

TMS is a non-invasive procedure for depression that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain that regulate mood. During TMS treatment, you will be seated in a comfortable chair for the 15-30 minute session. A TMS technician will gently rest a plastic coil on your head which will produce an occasional beeping sound and a tapping sensation on your forehead. 

Side effects may include headaches, lightheadedness, or tiredness which are typically mild and dissipate quickly once the TMS machine is turned off. 

Patients may resume normal activities immediately following treatment. Patients may drive themselves home or return to work, making treatment sessions easy to work into your normal schedule. 

Most patients receive TMS therapy treatments 5 days a week for 6 weeks, followed by one treatment per week for an additional 6 weeks. Some patients see their depression go into complete remission after the initial treatment series and others may require occasional maintenance treatments.

At Manlove Brain + Body Health, we have seen a 75% success rate when we use TMS for treating depression. 

“TMS was miraculous for me and I do know a couple of other people who have had the same results with no relapse of symptoms. Give it a try.” – Shawn, Manlove Brain and Body Health TMS patient.

Is TMS “electric shock” treatment?

TMS is very different from “electric shock” treatment. ECT or “electric shock” treatment sends an electrical current through the brain to trigger a seizure while the patient is under general anesthesia. ECT is one of the most effective treatments for depression, but can come with serious side effects such as difficulties with learning and memory. 

TMS therapy for depression does not trigger a seizure and does not deliver electric shocks. You will remain awake during TMS treatment. A TMS machine uses electromagnetic waves that will produce a light tapping sensation and a beeping noise. TMS does not cause memory or learning problems, which can be associated with ECT treatments. 

Have another insurance provider?

No problem! We accept a wide variety of insurances. Give us a call or send us an email to see if your insurance provider is accepted at our psychiatry clinic. 

Get Started Today!

Call Manlove Brain + Body Health at 605-348-8000 or email [email protected] to talk to one of our mental health specialists to see if TMS therapy for depression is right for you.

ketamine rapid city
Dr. Stephen Manlove

How to Steer Clear of the Ketamine Wild West

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Know the difference between a ketamine clinic and a ketamine shop

Matthew Perrone, an Associated Press reporter, recently wrote Prescriptions For Ketamine Have Soared in Recent Years, Despite Little Research or Regulation. This article paints an alarming picture of ketamine use in pain management. Perrone suggests ketamine for pain could morph into the next opioid crisis. Ketamine helps with depression, anxiety, and PTSD when used correctly, despite some concerns from Perrone.

Ketamine therapy help stabilize patients with severe depression who have not found relief from other medications or therapies. Despite their life-saving qualities, these medication can be dangerous if they are not used carefully.

It is crucial to understand that ketamine therapy should not be used as a standalone solution. The key lies in integrating these medications into a comprehensive mental healthcare plan. A comprehensive plan may include counseling, TMS, VNS, or healthy lifestyle changes.

One of the concerns raised by Perrone is the lack of research and regulation surrounding ketamine use. It is true that more studies are needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential risks associated with these medications. However, the medical community is actively gathering more data on these medications and has already established safety standards for safe use.

In the meantime, healthcare professionals must exercise caution and closely monitor patients who are prescribed ketamine for depression. Regular check-ins, thorough assessments, and open communication are essential to ensure patient safety. Additionally, patients should be educated about the risks of ketamine and adverse effects to watch for.

The increasing use of ketamine and Spravato in pain management and mental healthcare is a significant development. Ketamine prescribers who do not follow the current safety standards put their patients at risk. Plus, they spread fear that may prevent others from seeking help for depression.

Ketamine and Spravato are powerful drugs. When used correctly, the benefits are greater than the risks.

If you or someone you know is considering ketamine for depression, be wary of where you get it. Not all ketamine clinics are equal. Here’s what to look for in a provider who offers ketamine for depression:

  • Commitment to proven safety standards. There are well-established safety guidelines for ketamine. To be confident in the safety of your treatment, find a provider that follows the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) protocol. The REMS protocol was developed for the FDA-approved nasal spray Spravato, which is a derivative of ketamine. They should also be compliant with the stringent American Psychiatric Association guidelines for providing ketamine/esketamine.

 

  • Full-spectrum care. Avoid “ketamine shops” that focus on ketamine alone. To find long-term help for depression, anxiety, or PTSD, look for a clinic that offers various mental health treatments. Other treatments to look for include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), medication management, lifestyle medicine, and psychotherapy. The clinicians in those clinics can help you develop a treatment plan out of the many options available that best meets your needs.

 

  • Psychiatrist oversight. See a psychiatrist who offers ketamine as part of comprehensive mental health treatment. Psychiatrists can handle potent medications and understand when to use them safely. Psychiatrists also know how to handle psychological complications that may arise from mental illnesses and their treatments. Clinicians who lack either or both of these skill sets may endanger severely depressed patients by mistake.

 

  • In-office treatments only. To prevent addiction and abuse problems, we only give ketamine treatments in our Rapid City ketamine clinic. This is one of the many guidelines we follow from the FDA and the American Psychiatric Association. If ketamine is given outside of an office setting, this is a red flag. The provider does not follow the set safety standards.

 

  • Emphasis on a medically safe and comfortable treatment experience. Your provider can help you have a positive experience by providing a safe, warm, and comfortable environment. We recommend that our patients avoid using electronics and listen to peaceful music without lyrics. Your ketamine Rapid City provider at MBBH can adjust your dosage if you experience negative side effects.

 

Ketamine/esketamine is a life-changing drug for people with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. We hope this gives you assurance that if try ketamine, you’re not headed into uncharted territory. Ensure your mental health team is experienced, capable of handling complex conditions and medications, and adheres to comprehensive safety guidelines.

To see if ketamine/esketamine is right for you, give Manlove Brain + Body Health a call: 605-348-8000.

marijuana and mental health
Dr. Stephen Manlove

How Medical Marijuana Affects Mental Health

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Due to its relaxing effects, it is commonly assumed that cannabis is helpful for people with anxiety. While cannabis can induce a temporary reduction in anxiety, once the immediate effects wear off, people typically experience an increase in anxiety. In fact, regular cannabis use may slowly ramp up anxiety between each use. 

Cannabis is a depressant and is known to worsen depression. At Manlove Brain and Body Clinic, we have seen depression decrease and motivation increase for many patients when they stopped using cannabis. Marijuana also worsens many other mental health conditions such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, and any psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. 

Marijuana and Stimulants

Using marijuana in combination with a stimulant such as Adderall can be dangerous. When you combine marijuana with a stimulant, the effects can cancel each other out and increase the need for both drugs to have the same effect. This can become a dangerous cycle, as marijuana can be mildly addictive. By taking higher doses, you may be at greater risk of developing an addiction. 

How often does marijuana addiction occur? The age at which you begin using marijuana can greatly affect your chances of becoming addicted. 1 in 6 people will become addicted to marijuana if consumption begins before the age of 18, while 1 in 10 people will become addicted if consumption begins as an adult (SAMHSA). 

Use Caution

Anyone who chooses to use marijuana should use caution, as it can have unpredictable consequences, including worsening anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia.  Effects may vary greatly from person to person and between uses. Marijuana usage is linked to depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and psychotic episodes (SAMHSA). 

Special Considerations for Marijuana Users

If you are currently taking stimulants or have been diagnosed with psychosis, you should refrain from marijuana use altogether. If you have another mental health disorder, it is best to avoid marijuana use. If you do choose to partake, keep consumption to occasional use only because regular use is likely to worsen your mental health condition(s). 

In addition to a heightened potential for addiction, marijuana can have serious long-term effects on the teenage brain. Since the brain does not finish developing until approximately the age of 25, marijuana use can affect normal brain development if used too early. Early marijuana use can lead to permanent problems with memory, learning, and judgment. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out to your family physician or a substance abuse specialist as soon as possible. View the South Dakota Department of Human Services’ list of local resources for drug and alcohol addiction. 

Our Practice

For sustained relief for depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental illness, your mental health provider will likely recommend terminating all marijuana usage. 

At Manlove Brain and Body Health, our professional standard is not to mix cannabis and certain medicines. Cannabis, even for medical use, can aggravate mental health conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression (as do alcohol and stimulants). An important part of what we do is manage medications for patients, which means choosing the best combinations for patient wellness. 

Our mental health providers work with you to maximize your whole body health. We work to get to the root of your psychiatric condition by incorporating holistic practices such as lifestyle modifications and vitamin/mineral supplements to ensure that your brain functions optimally. This also includes removing potential triggers and managing medications to ensure that you have an optimal combination that will provide the maximum benefit with the least amount of medications necessary. Covering up symptoms with medications or drugs will only result in a need to increase the amount of medication you are taking over time to have the same therapeutic effect. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, psychosis, or bipolar disorder, we can help. To schedule an introductory appointment or to learn more about how we can help, give us a call: 605-348-8000. 

 

Dr. Stephen Manlove

How to Combat Seasonal Depression

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In a recent blog, we outlined the differences between depression and sadness. For those with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it can be even more challenging to determine if you have depression or if you are experiencing temporary sadness due to the temporary nature of SAD. Luckily, there are several remedies that can be easily implemented on your own that will help improve your overall health and can even help prevent clinical depression from developing. If you think you might have seasonal depression, give some of these recommendations a try. 

If you need additional support, don’t be afraid to reach out to a psychiatrist for a personalized treatment plan. 

What is Seasonal Depression?

Seasonal depression is depression caused by the changing seasons, typically beginning in late fall and lasting through early spring. SAD can affect anyone, but those who live in the northern regions of the United States may be at a higher risk. 

Symptoms of seasonal depression may include:

  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of interest in usual activities
  • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Mood swings
  • Weight gain

SAD is more than being sad about the cold weather. If seasonal changes affect your ability to function as you normally would, this is a good indicator that you may have seasonal depression.

What Causes Seasonal Depression?

Seasonal depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. In many cases, this is triggered by low serotonin levels, which is an important chemical in the brain that regulates your mood. In other cases, it could be caused by an overproduction of melatonin, which helps regulate your sleep cycles and makes you feel tired. Both serotonin and melatonin help maintain your body’s daily patterns that signal when it is day or night. Seasonal changes may cause your body to over or underproduce these chemicals making it difficult to function as you normally would.

How are these chemical imbalances related to seasonal changes? The lack of sunlight during the winter months can lead to vitamin D deficiency which can cause these imbalances in the brain. Vitamin D helps promote serotonin activity and is inversely connected to melatonin levels. When you are deficient in vitamin D, your serotonin levels drop and you may begin to overproduce melatonin. 

Ways to Combat Seasonal Depression


Increase Vitamin D Levels

Since seasonal depression is often triggered by a lack of vitamin D, it’s no surprise that the best way to combat seasonal depression is to address any vitamin D deficiencies you may have. Here are a few ways you can increase your vitamin D levels:

  • Get outside for 10-15 minutes every day. Going for a daily walk outside will have incredible benefits for your overall health and will give you the much-needed sun exposure to help boost your vitamin D. Even if you are bundled up for the weather, getting some sun exposure on your face will have some benefits. 
  • Incorporate vitamin D rich foods into your diet. 
    • Egg yolks
    • Orange juice fortified with vitamin D
    • Cow milk or plant based milk fortified with vitamin D
    • Wild caught salmon
    • Tuna
    • Swordfish
    • Mushrooms
    • Fortified cereal
  • Take Vitamin D supplements. While the best way for your body to absorb vitamin D will be from sun exposure and vitamin D rich foods, your body will likely absorb at least some vitamin D from over the counter supplements.


Light Therapy

If you live in a northern or midwestern region, getting outside everyday is still very important, but you may need more light exposure than what you are able to get naturally. Consider purchasing a lamp for light therapy. You can find some relatively inexpensive lamps online that you can place on your desk, end table, or even set up on your bathroom vanity for when you get ready for your day. It is best to use the lamp for at least 30 minutes each day, ideally getting a minimum of 10 minutes within the first hour of waking. 

Light therapy helps signal to your body that it is day time. This will reduce the production of melatonin and increase your serotonin production.

Some individuals may begin to feel their mood lift within a few days of beginning light therapy and most will begin to feel a reduction in their depression symptoms within two weeks.


Ketamine for Seasonal Depression

Typically used for treatment resistant depression, ketamine therapy can be a good option for those who are severely affected by seasonal affective disorder. Ketamine can be administered as a nasal spray, shot, IV, or oral medication and can be used on an occasional basis which makes it a good option for treating SAD.


Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or simply “therapy”, is when an individual sits down with a mental health professional to pinpoint potential triggers of their depression and discuss coping strategies. This can be a good option for those with seasonal depression by recognizing unhealthy thought patterns and retraining the brain. This can be done on a seasonal basis for some extra help when you need it. However, for some, it may be best to participate in psychotherapy on an ongoing basis to help you prepare your thought process for the darkest months.


Improve Your Overall Health

At Manlove Brain and Body Health, we encourage our patients to improve their overall health in as many ways as possible. By improving the overall health of our patients, we have been able to improve their response to depression treatment. No matter how severe your seasonal depression is, you can improve your brain’s response to your treatment methods by eating a healthy diet, maintaining healthy social connections, getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night, limiting caffeine, meditating, and exercising for at least 150 minutes each week. 

By improving your overall health, you are improving your brain’s ability to function properly. This can help your brain adapt to seasonal changes and can prevent other brain diseases including clinical depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and dementia. 

If you experience seasonal depression, try increasing your vitamin D levels and consider purchasing a lamp for light therapy. If these home remedies are not enough, see a psychiatrist to explore ketamine, psychotherapy, or other treatment options for your seasonal affective disorder. 

am i depressed?, depression signs, depression symptoms
Dr. Stephen Manlove

Am I Depressed? Know the Signs and Symptoms of Depression

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The biggest question people want to be answered before going to see a psychiatrist is: Am I depressed? While no one wants to go through the hassle of making a doctor’s appointment for no reason, it’s always best to ask a mental health professional the answer to that question.

However, to help you determine if it’s time to seek help, The Washington Post recently posted a great article that shares How to know if it’s depression or just ‘normal’ sadness. The biggest takeaway is that sadness is usually linked to a specific event like the loss of a loved one, while depression is typically a consistent negative feeling about one’s self such as feeling like a burden to your friends and family.

Here is a list of depression symptoms to watch for:

  • Change in appetite – this may be a loss or increase in your appetite
  • Sleeplessness
  • Feeling anxious
  • Feeling guilty
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Feeling angry or irritable over small things
  • Tiredness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Difficulty remembering past events
  • Loss of interest in hobbies or activities

Everyday Sadness Versus Sadness Every Day

While everyone may experience at least some of these symptoms on occasion, individuals with depression often experience multiple, or even all, of these symptoms on a daily basis.

That brings up an important distinction to be made about the article and the author’s use of the phrases ‘everyday sadness and normal sadness’, which could easily be confused with ‘sadness every day.’ Clearly, the author’s intent is to spell out that depression is different from occasional and temporary sadness, so you shouldn’t shrug it off.

Depression typically comes in waves that happen multiple times throughout one’s life. Time doesn’t always heal. So even if the problem seems like something you just need to power through … don’t go it alone.

The critical message here is to get professional advice starting with your primary care doctor, or give us a call: 605-348-8000. If you think you might need to seek help, chances are it would be beneficial for you to see a mental health professional.

psychedelic treatment
Dr. Stephen Manlove

Psychedelic Treatment in Rapid City–Not So New

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Psychedelics are considered a relatively new and promising form of therapy for treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other trauma-related disorders. While this is new to Western medicine, it has been used by indigenous people around the globe for thousands of years. As modern psychedelics go, our own Dr. Brian Johns from our Minneapolis clinic, conducted a study in 2014 that was instrumental in bringing a psychedelic drug out of hospital-only use to mental health clinics as an ongoing out-patient treatment. 

According to Dr. Johns, “When administered in a safe, controlled setting, certain psychedelics can help recalibrate the brain by growing neurons and helping them respond better to neurotransmitters that improve our mood.” These therapies are often used as part of an augmentation strategy with talk therapy or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Psychedelics can even improve responses to other depression treatments.

The four main psychedelics that are currently being studied for use in depression patients include:

  • Ketamine (already FDA-approved)
  • Psilocybin
  • MDMA
  • LSD

Ketamine – An Approved and Proven Psychedelic

Leading the way as a clinically available and heavily studied psychedelic, ketamine was FDA-approved as an anesthetic in 1970, and the brand-name version, esketamine (Spravato), is the only FDA-approved treatment for suicidal thoughts. Ketamine has been used for psychiatric treatment and proven successful for many patients who tried multiple other antidepressants without relief.

Emerging Psychedelic Treatments

Other psychedelic medications are still being studied and are not yet approved for patients to use unless you are part of a clinical trial. However, the findings so far look promising. Even so-called psychedelic clinics are waiting on further approval of newer psychedelic treatments and rely primarily on ketamine for now, and with good reason. 

Oregon is the first state to legalize psilocybin and many other states are in the process of legalizing the drug. The drug may only be administered by trained professionals for use in adults 21 years and older.  

The FDA is looking to approve the use of psilocybin and MDMA for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because psychedelic medications provide far better results than traditional antidepressants (Psychiatric Times). For patients with “treatment-resistant” mood disorders, the benefits of these medications far outweigh the potential dangers. For depression patients who feel hopeless, these medications could be life-saving. 

While there are more studies and trials that are needed before psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD can be used as a mood-altering medication, ketamine is available now. It is important that you receive ketamine from a mental health professional who has experience treating patients with similar psychiatric symptoms. 

To get started, meet with a mental health practitioner who offers ketamine or Spravato, such as at Manlove Brain and Body Health, to determine if ketamine is right for you. Please know that ketamine may not be right for everyone. For example, patients with psychosis or bipolar disorder must be working with a prescriber and taking medications appropriately, as ketamine alone can worsen both conditions. 

We are excited about the promising results that have been found thus far regarding additional psychedelic medications and are working with researchers at the University of Rochester to develop a pilot program. Our team of mental health professionals is always looking for the best treatments for our patients. If these additional psychedelic medications continue to provide consistent, positive results, we hope to add them to our mental health treatment solutions to help our patients feel better and live happier. 

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antidepressant medication options
Dr. Stephen Manlove

Antidepressant Medications: Classes, Doses & Side Effects

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People often come to Manlove Brain + Body Health believing they have tried “every medication” for their depression, though that is rarely the case. A patient’s treatment-resistance to antidepressant medication is often caused by one of three scenarios.

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ketamine, esketamine, Spravato
Dr. Stephen Manlove

Common Questions About Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato)

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Ketamine and esketamine (Spravato) are becoming a popular topic of discussion among mental health providers and patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

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Dr. Stephen Manlove

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): How it works, what to expect, side effects.

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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was developed in 1985, and has been  FDA-approved since 2008 as an alternative treatment for depression. TMS is covered by most health insurance plans for those with treatment resistant depression (TRD) which is defined as a patient who has tried 4 or more antidepressant medications and therapy without relief. It can also help people with symptoms of PTSD, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, social anxiety disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and other mental illnesses.

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