Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in adolescents with multiple psychiatric diagnoses.
Philip E. Wolfson, Julane Andries, Daniel Ahlers, Melissa Whippo
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1141988 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4 |
| Population | Adolescents aged 14–19 with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses including treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, panic, and trauma-related symptoms |
| Interventions | Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sublingual ketamine intramuscular ketamine |
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Adolescent psychiatry Bipolar disorder Eating disorders Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy Psychedelic psychotherapy |
| Citations | 27 |
| Key findings | Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy was associated with symptomatic and functional improvements and was well-tolerated in four adolescents with complex, treatment-resistant mental disorders. |
Abstract
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a promising new treatment for a variety of mental disorders of adolescence. There is currently an adolescent mental health crisis, with a high prevalence of disorders, diagnostic complexity, and many adolescents failing to respond to conventional treatments. While there is strong evidence for the use of ketamine in adults for a variety of treatment-refractory mental illnesses, research in adolescents is in its early stages. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has been described in adults with promising results and here we present the first published cases of the use of KAP in adolescents. The four cases include adolescents aged 14-19 at the initiation of treatment, each with a variety of comorbid diagnoses including treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, panic, and trauma-related symptoms. They each initially received sublingual ketamine, followed by sessions with intramuscular ketamine. Their courses varied, but each had symptomatic and functional improvements, and the treatment was well-tolerated. Subjective patient reports are included. Rapid resolution of symptomatology and suffering often occurs within months as the result of the application of KAP to adolescent psychiatric care but is not inevitable. Family involvement in the treatment process appears to be essential to success. The development of this modality may have a singularly positive impact that will expand the psychiatric toolbox and its healing potency.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
-
Four adolescents with complex treatment-resistant disorders showed symptomatic and functional improvement on KAP and tolerated it well.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 20
- The Montreal model: an integrative biomedical-psychedelic approach to ketamine for severe treatment-resistant depression Frontiers in Psychiatry September 19, 2023
- Novel rapid treatment options for adolescent depression. Pharmacological Research March 1, 2024
- Ketamine for mood disorders, anxiety, and suicidality in children and adolescents: a systematic review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2025
- Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, psychedelic methodologies, and the impregnable value of the subjective—a new and evolving approach Frontiers in Psychiatry February 1, 2024
- A Systematic Review on Ketamine and Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidality in Adolescents: A New Hope? Children (Basel, Switzerland) June 29, 2024
and 15 more in the library
Cites 23
- The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 19, 2010
- Ketamine for chronic pain: risks and benefits British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology February 21, 2013
- Constructing drug effects: A history of set and setting Drug Science, Policy and Law 2017
- Ketamine: a paradigm shift for depression research and treatment Neuron March 1, 2019
- Single-dose infusion ketamine and non-ketamine N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists for unipolar and bipolar depression: a meta-analysis of efficacy, safety and time trajectories Psychological Medicine February 12, 2016
and 18 more in the library