The COVID-19 pandemic has been a trying time for everyone, both mentally and physically. But it turns out the mental toll may be far greater than we thought. A new study from researchers in Utah reveals that depression cases have soared since the start of the pandemic, regardless of whether patients contracted the virus or not.
The study examined more than 135,000 people and found that both the rates and the severity of depressive symptoms increased “significantly” during the pandemic. These effects were observed even among those who were never sick with COVID-19.
The Prevalence of Depression
Depression is a serious mental health issue that can have a wide range of effects, from difficulty concentrating to changes in appetite and sleep patterns. According to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression worldwide.
The new study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing depression during the pandemic. The findings suggest that the psychological impact of the virus is widespread, and may even be more severe for those who are not directly affected by the virus.
The Impact of Social Isolation
The study suggests that the primary cause of the increased depression rates is social isolation. With schools, businesses, and other social venues closed, people have been forced to stay at home and limit their contact with others. This has been especially hard for those who live alone or have difficulty connecting with others.
The lack of social interaction can be particularly damaging for people who already suffer from mental health issues, such as depression. This can lead to further isolation and a worsening of symptoms.
The Need for Mental Health Support
The findings of the study underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health issues during the pandemic. Mental health services are key to helping people cope with depression and other mental health issues, and they are now more important than ever.
Unfortunately, many people lack access to mental health services. This is partly due to the limited availability of mental health professionals, but it is also due to the stigma attached to mental health issues. It is important to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that everyone should have access to the support they need.
Treating Depression
Most antidepressants take around three weeks to take effect, while studies consistently show ketamine infusions work within hours. However, the mechanism which makes the drug work has remained unclear. Now, researchers from the Paris Brain Institute have discovered one answer that explains ketamine’s lightning-fast course of action.
In the study, treatment resistant depression patients received three administrations of ketamine at a subanesthetic dose (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) in one week. Only four hours after the first administration, patients’ ability to update their beliefs after receiving a positive information was increased. They became less sensitive to negative information and recovered an ability to update their knowledge comparable to that of control subjects.
Moreover, improvement in depressive symptoms after ketamine treatment was associated with these changes in belief updating, suggesting a link between clinical improvement and changes in this cognitive mechanism. “In other words, the more patients’ belief updating ability was increased, the greater the improvement in symptoms was”.
The Benefits of Ketamine
One of the main benefits of a ketamine infusion is its rapid onset. Most antidepressants can take several weeks to take effect, but ketamine can have an effect within a few hours. This can be particularly beneficial for people who suffer from severe depression and need relief quickly.
Ketamine is also a safer alternative to other antidepressants. It is less likely to cause side effects such as weight gain, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction, which are common with traditional antidepressants. Additionally, ketamine is not addictive, making it a safer option for people who are looking for relief from their depression.
The Remedy Health + Wellness is proud to offer Ketamine Infusions coupled with talk therapy sessions is a sure way to help with depression symptoms.