MIDLAND, TX (KWES) - A local ketamine clinic in Midland has seen success in their patients' mental health.
Ketamine Clinic of West Texas is the first ketamine clinic to open its doors in the Permian Basin back in October.
"I've suffered with depression since I was 13 so I've been treated off and on for a lot of years," said ketamine patient Angela Arnold. "I'm very high-functioning so it didn't debilitate me."
Diagnosed with a mood disorder, Arnold needed a change in routine but she also needed a permanent change in her mental health.
From insomnia to avoiding going to the store,or even having normal conversations, doing every day things became a difficult task.
"There's just things you hang on to when you are depressed," said Arnold.
That was when she saw a doctor who told her to try Ketamine Infusement Treatment. Patients are given a low dosage of ketamine for 45 minutes.
This is usually done six times in a two week span. Most patients won't have to go back until a month or two later.
"What I like about Tammy is she has a follow up and a follow-through," said Arnold. "By the grace of God I found her and she got me in for a booster."
After Arnold's treatments, it led not just to a month or six months, but two full years where she wouldn't have to go back for any more treatments.
"I feel fantastic," said Arnold. "It's something you can't describe. It's almost like a healing process. You can legitimately feel your brain healing. I found comfort coming into the clinic, sitting in a comfortable chair, having someone talk to me and explain what they're going to do and what I'm going to experience."
One of the important things during treatment is patients need to be in a safe environment. That's why medical professionals use the infusion pump for a controlled delivery.
"For my clinic, I'm probably at an 85-90% success rate," said Certified Nurse Anesthetist Tammy Vaught. "Overall goal is remission of symptoms whether it's depression, anxiety or PTSD that's crippling them in their life."
Mental illnesses are chemical imbalances. But in this clinic, it's what helps patients like Arnold fix those chemical imbalances to a life that's more balanced.
"Now I can get up and get my things done and when you're in a debilitating state of mind, you have a hard time doing normal every day to day things," said Arnold. "So guess what? Ketamine allows me that cloud to lift. Depression and anxiety are like shackles to me and ketamine is the key to those shackles. That's what ketamine does. It frees your mind. I love the idea that I'm healing."
To inquire about therapy, you can contact the clinic at (432) 704-2133. The clinic is located in Midland at 1811 W Wall St. For more information, click here.
