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Ketamine-assisted meaning-centered psychotherapy for a patient with severe suicidal behavior

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 October 2022

Fernando Espí Forcén Open the ORCID record for Fernando Espí Forcén [Opens in a new window] ,
Laura Marengo  and
Maya Behn Open the ORCID record for Maya Behn [Opens in a new window]
Fernando Espí Forcén*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
Laura Marengo
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
Maya Behn
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Fernando Espí Forcén, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Email: fespiforcen@gmail.com
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Abstract

There is a current debate in society as to whether depression can be a terminal illness. Meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP) and psychedelic medicines have both been shown to treat existential distress in palliative care settings. We are reporting the case of a patient for whom MCP combined with ketamine was an effective treatment for his recurrent and severe depressive disorder with suicidal ideation. His complex assessment and management of suicide (CAMS) scores improved significantly with this treatment modality. Ketamine is generally well tolerated and can enhance treatment outcomes in patients undergoing MCP.

Keywords

KetamineMeaning centered psychotherapyComplex assessment and management of suicidePsychedelic psychotherapyDepression
Type
Case Report
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , April 2023 , pp. 362 - 364
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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