A small but powerful study of patients with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has revealed outstanding therapeutic outcomes following ketamine infusion therapy. In just two weeks, participants showed a dramatic 80% remission rate in PTSD symptoms and a 93% response rate in TRD — underscoring ketamine’s dual-action potential in complex psychiatric cases.
Published on PubMed Central and widely discussed in patient communities such as Reddit, the study shines a spotlight on a subgroup of patients who are often the hardest to treat and most at risk for suicide, functional impairment, and chronic disability.
Study Design and Population
- Sample size: 15 adults
- Diagnoses: All participants met criteria for both chronic PTSD and treatment-resistant depression (defined as failure to respond to at least two antidepressants)
- Treatment protocol:
- 6 intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions
- Delivered over a span of 2 weeks
- Administered in a monitored clinical setting
- Measurement tools: Standardized PTSD and depression rating scales before, during, and after treatment
Key Outcomes
1. PTSD Symptom Remission
- 80% of participants met criteria for full remission of PTSD symptoms by the end of the 2-week protocol
- Improvements were observed in:
- Re-experiencing (flashbacks, nightmares)
- Hypervigilance and avoidance
- Emotional numbing and dysregulation
2. Depression Response
- 93% of participants showed a clinically significant reduction in depression symptoms
- Gains included:
- Improved mood and motivation
- Reduced suicidal ideation
- Enhanced ability to engage socially and occupationally
3. Speed and Durability
- Positive effects began to appear within the first 2–3 infusions
- Benefits sustained for at least two additional weeks post-treatment (longer-term data pending)
Safety and Tolerability
- Ketamine was well tolerated by all participants
- Side effects were mild to moderate and included:
- Transient dissociation
- Mild nausea
- Temporary increases in heart rate or blood pressure
- No participants dropped out due to adverse events
Why This Study Matters
Patients with comorbid PTSD and TRD represent one of the most clinically challenging populations in mental health care:
- High risk of chronic disability
- Elevated rates of hospitalization and suicide
- Poor response to conventional pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions
This study provides compelling evidence that ketamine may offer rapid, profound, and multidimensional symptom relief for these patients.
Patient Insights and Community Reflections
On Reddit and other forums, individuals undergoing similar ketamine protocols reported:
- Feeling “emotionally lighter” and “more in control” within days
- Noticing deeper emotional processing in therapy
- Experiencing relief from both mood and trauma-related symptoms for the first time in years
One patient wrote:
“By the third infusion, I wasn’t waking up with dread anymore. I started sleeping through the night — no nightmares, no panic.”
Clinical Implications
- Ketamine could serve as an integrative treatment for patients with dual diagnoses, reducing the need for polypharmacy
- Its ability to modulate glutamatergic pathways and enhance neuroplasticity may explain its efficacy across both PTSD and TRD
- Should be considered in:
- Veteran and first-responder populations
- Complex trauma survivors with longstanding depression
Future Research Needs
- Larger, controlled trials to validate findings
- Exploration of maintenance strategies (e.g., booster infusions, adjunct therapy)
- Cost-benefit analysis for implementation in public health and VA settings
- Long-term tracking of relapse rates and functional recovery
Final Thoughts
This comorbid PTSD + TRD study, though small, signals a major step forward in the treatment of patients often considered refractory. With remission rates of 80% for PTSD and response rates of 93% for TRD, ketamine infusions offer a beacon of hope in a landscape where options are limited and suffering is great.
With careful administration and integration, ketamine could become a cornerstone treatment for complex mood and trauma syndromes.
References
- PMC. (2024). Comorbid PTSD and TRD: Response to Ketamine Infusion Protocols.
Reddit Patient Reports. (2024). First-time remission after ketamine for PTSD and depression.
