Ketamine Self-Medication in a Patient with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Comorbid Therapy-Resistant Depression
Mihriban Heval Özgen, W. van den Brink
Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology September 1, 2022 DOI: 10.5152/pcp.2022.22037 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Adult male with autism spectrum disorder and comorbid treatment-resistant mood disorder with suicidality |
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key findings | The patient reported complete remission of depression and suicidality and reduced autism spectrum disorder symptoms after self-medicating with ketamine. The authors suggest ketamine is likely effective against depression and suicidality and potentially effective against certain autism symptoms, while cautioning about risks of unsupervised use. |
Abstract
In this case report, we present an adult male patient with autism spectrum disorder and a comorbid (treatment-resistant) mood disorder with suicidality. He has been treated with numerous psychopharmaceuticals, most recently risperidone and valproic acid. He has been hospitalized several times and has attempted suicide. He displayed limited social functioning, repetitive behaviors, sensory hypersensitivity, anxiety, depressed mood, anhedonia, low energy, and chronic suicidality. Despite intensive treatment, he remained highly symptomatic and unable to work. After repeatedly self-medicating with ketamine, the patient reported that his depression and suicidality disappeared and that his autism spectrum disorder symptoms were reduced. This case study – along with previous clinical studies – suggests that ketamine is likely to be effective against depression and suicidality and potentially effective against (certain) autism spectrum disorder symptoms. However, increasing public awareness of the beneficial effects of ketamine may lead to more unsupervised and thus risky use of ketamine for self-medication.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on ketamine for depression, most cited first.