Recent data suggest that infusion treatment "might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades.” – Thomas Insel (Former Director, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) )
The ReviveMed program can alter the treatment pathway for people with diagnoses of PTSD, TRD, anxiety, and suicidality. For many, the current treatments are vastly inadequate – these have not significantly evolved in over 30 years. The ReviveMed program can:
– Move patients with chronic symptoms of PTSD and depression, and acute symptoms of suicidality, into remission levels within one week.
– Enable improvement in quality-of-life outcomes for patients, with functional recovery within six months.
– Lead the field in translational studies and epigenetics, utilising latest research capabilities to identify and intervene in impaired neural networks, and match the objective data with subjective measures of improvement.
If you have been referred to ReviveMed, it is likely that you are living with a major depressive disorder that has not responded to other treatments. You may have tried multiple SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic or MAOI antidepressants, or anti-psychotic medication. You may be considering ECT or TMS.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is commonly known for affecting veterans, police officers and firefighters. Millions of others who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events suffer from PTSD as well. Left untreated, PTSD can lead to intrusive recurring memories, avoidance, hopelessness, detachment from family and friends, severe depression and anxiety, and can increase risk of suicidality.
Treatment-resistant Depression
When two or more treatments for depression have not alleviated depressive symptoms, a treatment-resistant depression (TRD) diagnosis may be given (Voineskos et al., 2020). In these cases, where deemed suitable to the patient’s circumstances and needs, the ReviveMed program may offer an alternative path to treatment.
Suicidality
Suicidality refers to the risk of suicide – usually indicated by suicidal ideation or intent (American Psychological Association, 2024). For many who have not found relief from treatment; who have been living with depression, PTSD, TRD, and/or anxiety or other mood disorders for extended periods of time; or who have experienced something life-altering, thoughts of suicide are not uncommon.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders also respond generally well to our ReviveMed treatment. Generalised anxiety is often brought on by stress and trauma, and can lead to feelings of panic, heart palpitations, nausea, loss of appetite, or a fear of dying. If you experience such symptoms for a period of six months or more, it is important to speak with your doctor and seek a diagnosis. To avoid worsening of symptoms, or related disorders such as depression, it is best that anxiety disorders are treated as early as possible.
Mood Disorders and the Brain
To maintain a healthy balance in mood, the neurons in various parts of your brain must connect to each other via their dendrites and their synaptic contact. Childhood stress and anxiety inhibit the production of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), a brain protein responsible for the maturation and maintenance of the neuronal dendrites and synapses that are necessary for normal brain connectivity. This leads to visible changes in neuroanatomy and subsequent serious mood disorders such as MDD, PTSD, OCD, and anxiety. Current research indicates that the anti-depressant effects of infusion therapy offered through ReviveMed are associated with enhanced neuroplasticity, including increased expression of BDNF.
Revive. Recover. Thrive.
ReviveMed is a three-stage program categorised under the themes of Revive, Recover, and Thrive. Across these stages, you will receive infusions in accordance with the program design, and engage with a team of medical and allied health professionals.
The Revive stage is designed to bring about symptom stabilisation. This may include addressing any physical health concerns as well as psychological symptoms.
The Recover stage continues the use of infusions and looks to work towards return to function. This stage requires significant engagement with your psychologist to work through underlying causes of stress/distress.
The third stage, Thrive, is focused on return to community (whatever that means for you) and provides you with support as you exit the program and engage in your daily life. The Thrive stage highlights the opportunity to not only return to a functional level of health, but to move beyond this to the life you want to live.
Suitability of the ReviveMed program is assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that only patients who may benefit from the therapy are recommended for treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
WILL IT WORK FOR MY SEVERE DEPRESSION?
The patients we see have all received a treatment-resistant diagnosis for their depression. That is, symptoms have not been alleviated by prescribed antidepressant medications, and in many cases have not improved through ECT nor TMS. While we cannot predict with certainty how each patient will respond, our data suggests that 70-75 per cent of patients who have not been helped by any other treatment show a dramatic improvement in their mood, and three out of four patients who present with suicidal ideation cease to have such thoughts.
IS THIS TREATMENT SUITABLE FOR ANYONE DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION?
Not necessarily. Mild to moderate depression is often successfully treated by mental health professionals with antidepressant drugs and/or psychotherapy, which we encourage. The treatment of severe depression, major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and other mood disorders presents further complexities and calls for a higher level of care such as ECT or TMS. Infusion therapy is reserved for those patients with severe depression, anxiety, or PTSD that is considered treatment-resistant, or those with suicidal ideation.
DOES IT WORK FOR OTHER MOOD DISORDERS?
The ReviveMed program has shown very good results for patients living with bi-polar depression, anxiety, TRD, and PTSD – though we cannot predict with certainty how each patient will respond.
WILL I BE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL?
Yes. ReviveMed patients are day patients, and all infusions are administered in a fully accredited hospital environment.
DO I NEED A REFERRAL?
Yes. A direct referral from a psychiatrist is required.
HOW LONG DOES AN INFUSION TAKE?
Infusions take around one hour, with an additional 30 minutes of rest before discharge.
FOR HOW LONG WILL I FEEL BETTER?
The average duration of relief between booster infusions is four to six weeks, however every patient is different. Some patients find that the time between boosters lengthens as they move through the program, prompting return visits every other month, every three months, or less.
WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE?
Most patients experience a mild dissociation or inner reflective experience that is generally well tolerated. If you find it unpleasant in any way, adjustments can be made to minimise or eliminate unpleasant sensations. You are awake and aware during treatment and there are no delayed “flashbacks” to the experience.
WILL I BE ASLEEP DURING THE TREATMENT?
No. The low dose you will receive does not cause loss of consciousness. You may, however, feel relaxed and wish to doze off.
IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?
Besides a small pinprick while starting the infusion line, the treatment is essentially pain-free.
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER THE INFUSION?
Your thinking may feel slightly cloudy, and your walk may feel a little unsteady for an hour or so after treatment. You may also find that you feel quite tired for several hours. We generally expect a noticeable improvement in your mood shortly after one or two infusions.
WILL I NEED TREATMENT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE?
While we cannot ultimately predict total treatment duration, many patients find that the need for booster infusions decreases over time.
ARE THERE ANY MEDICATIONS THAT WILL INTERFERE WITH TREATMENT?
Yes. Certain medications taken regularly and at higher doses do interfere with our treatment program. It is important that your treating psychiatrist review your existing medication regimen to maximise our program’s effectiveness. Do not make changes to your medication unless advised by your treating GP or psychiatrist
ARE THERE ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT WILL EXCLUDE ME FROM TREATMENT?
We conduct detailed pre-tests to allow us to identify – and correct, where possible – any conditions which may impact your suitability to therapy. All patients in the program will be closely monitored while undergoing treatment.
WILL I HAVE TO STOP TAKING OTHER ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATION?
No. SSRIs and other antidepressant medications do not interfere with this treatment.
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT ADDICTION WITH INFUSION THERAPY?
Infusion treatment has been used safely for surgical anaesthesia and trauma management – in hospitals and elsewhere – for over five decades; been included on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines list since 1985; and has few side effects. While risks exist in unregulated forms and in recreational use, there is no evidence that infusions administered under our strict medical guidelines are addictive.
DO INFUSIONS CAUSE HALLUCINATIONS?
Infusion treatments for depression require a very low dose, so side effects that may come with much higher doses – such as hallucinations – are relatively rare. Some people may, however, experience altered visual perception such as more vivid colours, altered visual patterns, or increased depth perception. Infusions have few other side effects.
WILL SOMEONE NEED TO ACCOMPANY ME?
You do not need anyone to accompany you, though we recommend that you arrange for someone to bring you home if possible. You will need to arrange transport from treatment as you are not recommended to drive for at least 24 hours.
CAN I EAT AND DRINK ON THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE?
You can eat, but not within one hour of your scheduled appointment.