Ketamine assisted psychotherapy in postpartum mood and anxiety disorders: a limited case series

Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) may help treat postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) when introduced within the first two years after childbirth. Existing medications often fail to work quickly enough, are hard to access, or provide only short-term relief. This retrospective case series describes three individuals who received KAP as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The report highlights how psychedelic insights gained during sessions may contribute to symptom improvement, suggesting KAP could offer a more effective and sustained therapeutic option for postpartum mental health.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The postpartum period is notorious for rapid and profound changes for birthing individuals and their families. Significant shifts to hormonal and physical health, routines and family roles, and the salience of personal and community risk factors all contribute to potential psychiatric and psychological distress for parents, sometimes diagnosed as a postpartum mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD). Existing pharmacologic treatment modalities for PMADs do not comprehensively address the profound shifts of the postpartum period, often inadequate at reaching peak therapeutic efficacy in a shorter time frame, in patient accessibility, or offering sustained benefit. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP), is increasingly recognized as a therapeutic option for a range of psychiatric disorders and has been explored as a modality to prevent PMADs when used during Cesarean births. This retrospective case series examines three cases where ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) was introduced during the first two years postpartum as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for PMADs. This study describes the utility of ketamine assisted psychotherapy to the postpartum individual, and offers perspective on the impact of psychedelic insights through treatment of PMAD symptoms