Depression Treatment in Littleton, CO

Compassionate Depression Treatment Serving Littleton and South Denver

At Vitalitas, we recognize how persistent depression can affect energy, motivation, concentration, relationships, work, and everyday routines. At our Littleton clinic at 26 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 200, Littleton, CO 80120, we take time to understand your symptoms, health history, medications, previous treatment, and goals before determining whether IV ketamine therapy may be appropriate for your care.

When Depression Becomes Difficult to Manage

Depression, also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, can cause persistent symptoms that affect how you feel, think, sleep, work, and manage everyday activities.

Depression symptoms may include:

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities

• Low energy or fatigue

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

• Irritability, frustration, or restlessness

Depression does not affect everyone in the same way. When symptoms persist, interfere with everyday life, or continue despite previous treatment, an individualized evaluation can help determine whether another treatment approach may be appropriate.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or urges to harm yourself, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

IV Ketamine Therapy for Depression

At Vitalitas, we provide physician-led IV ketamine therapy for selected patients with depression.

Ketamine is FDA-approved as a general anesthetic. Its use for depression and other psychiatric conditions is off-label, meaning ketamine has not been FDA-approved specifically to treat depression. The FDA provides additional context on the current use of ketamine in emerging areas of therapeutic interest.

Ketamine affects the brain's glutamate system and blocks NMDA receptors involved in neural signaling. Researchers continue to study how these effects may contribute to changes in depressive symptoms.

Research on IV ketamine for depression has often focused on people whose symptoms have not improved enough with previous treatments. A systematic review and meta-analysis of IV ketamine for treatment-resistant depression found evidence of short-term improvement in depressive symptoms while also noting that more research is needed to understand long-term safety and effectiveness.

We approach ketamine accordingly: as an option that may be appropriate for some patients after careful evaluation, not as a guaranteed solution.

Careful Screening and Physician-Led Treatment

Safety and clinical fit are central to how we provide ketamine therapy. Before recommending treatment, we consider your symptoms, medical and mental health history, medications, previous treatment, risk factors, goals, clinical stability, and whether outpatient ketamine care is appropriate.

If treatment moves forward, our approach includes:

• Individualized planning based on your clinical history and needs

• Physician oversight with a physician anesthesiologist present during treatment and closely monitoring each infusion

• Clinical monitoring of heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen level

• Follow-up to review your response and guide future treatment decisions

• Care coordination with an existing psychiatrist, therapist, primary care clinician, or other provider when appropriate

Not everyone who contacts us will be a candidate for ketamine. We believe careful screening, clear recommendations, and realistic expectations are part of responsible care.