DENVER—A new study by Eating Recovery Center shows that ketamine treatment is safe and effective for those with eating disorders and treatment-resistant depression and/or bipolar disorder at higher levels of care, providing patients and providers with wider treatment options.
The study, published this month in the Journal of Eating Disorders, is the first to examine the efficacy of ketamine treatment for patients in higher levels of care with these co-occurring conditions. Results showed there were “significant reductions in depression and eating disorder severity,” – meaning ketamine can be a safe treatment option for those in eating disorder care who have these co-occurring conditions to help with their depression and bipolar disorder symptoms.
“This is the first study of its kind to evaluate outcomes related to both depression and suicidality, for which ketamine has FDA indication, and for eating disorder treatment outcomes,” said Eating Recovery Center Regional Medical Director Elizabeth Wassenaar, MS, MD, CEDS-S, DFAPA, one of the authors of the study. “Our research shows that individuals who received ketamine as a part of their treatment plan responded to treatment as well as individuals who did not receive ketamine.”
Wassenaar said individuals with eating disorders may feel as though they have very few options for the treatment of their depression. This is the first time evidence has supported that ketamine may be an option for treatment of treatment-resistant depression, even if someone is still active in their eating disorder.
TAKEAWAYS:
* This is the first study to examine ketamine treatment for those with eating disorders at higher levels of care.
* Ketamine treatment is effective in helping to reduce symptoms in those with treatment-resistant depression or bipolar disorder.
* This study shows it’s safe to administer ketamine treatment to individuals with eating disorders and treatment-resistant depression and/or bipolar disorder.
* Results from this research will help inform eating disorder treatment providers who are considering ketamine to help patients with co-occurring disorders.
To read the full study, visit: https://rdcu.be/eTSHJ