CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s supposed to be the most joyous time of the year, right? But if you suffer from depression, anxiety or other mood disorders, you may be struggling to get into the spirit of the season. You’re not alone, and Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center is here to help. 

Recognized as the leading ketamine provider in the community in the 2021 Best of Southern Utah contest, the clinic won gold in alternative therapies as well as silver in the behavioral/mental health treatment category.

Desert Sands Ketamine founder, Dr. Eric Evans, said that if your current treatment plan isn’t enough to keep your mood and motivation balanced, consider adding ketamine infusion therapy to your toolbox. 

“Ketamine can help people feel more connected to others and more in the moment instead of anxiety-ridden about the future or the past,” Evans said. “It works in some very interesting ways to help people feel more peaceful and more grounded.”

Anxiety and depression

People often approach the holiday season expecting to feel merry and bright, but that isn’t always realistic. Now more than ever, mental health nationwide is being adversely affected by the uncertainty of the pandemic, the stress of the holidays and seasonal affective disorder.

Many people experience worsening anxiety and depression toward the end of the year, Evans said. Those with turbulent family relationships often dread holiday gatherings, while others without close family ties might feel lonely and excluded. And again this year, many will spend the holidays physically isolated as a result of travel restrictions and virus concerns. 

Seasonal affective disorder

If you’re feeling especially downhearted this holiday season, it may be more than just the “winter blues.” 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 overall mood. 

Affecting millions of Americans every year, seasonal affective disorder is characterized by mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue and social withdrawal. Symptoms typically start in the fall and continue through the winter. 

Understanding ketamine 

At Desert Sands Ketamine, Evans uses therapeutic doses of ketamine administered via IV infusion 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.

Ketamine targets the amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for processing moods and emotions in the conscious mind. While most antidepressants focus on boosting serotonin levels, ketamine elevates a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Evans highlighted research at Yale University which indicates that depression and other mental health disorders are caused by a shortage of this protein.

In clinical trials, ketamine demonstrated a success rate of 70%, nearly double that of common antidepressants. It’s not a habit-forming substance, Evans said, and can be safely used in combination with many other medications. 

Experience the Desert Sands difference  

Evans created Desert Sands Ketamine to offer new hope to people living with depression and other mental health disorders. As a board-certified anesthesiologist with more than 25 years of experience administering ketamine in both surgical and clinical settings, he said he’s never been more excited about the possibilities of a medicine. Many patients have experienced remarkable, even life-changing, results. 

The clinic offers a spa-like, comfortable healing environment with compassionate staff who are dedicated to helping patients achieve the best results possible. The patient experience always begins with a free consultation to discuss their issues and determine if ketamine is right for them. 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: [email protected] | Website.

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