"The Girl Who Cried Wolf" - Stellate Ganglion Block for Hidden Trauma

The Stellate Ganglion Block and IV Ketamine Heal a Hidden Trauma

At Clarus Health, we often meet patients who’ve been misdiagnosed or misunderstood—none more memorable than a young woman once dismissed as “the girl who cried wolf.” No doctor could explain her persistent nightmares, exaggerated startle response, or overwhelming sense of fear. But her symptoms were real, and they pointed to something deeper—something hidden.

Dr. Kaveh explains her story and how cutting-edge therapies like the Stellate Ganglion Block and IV ketamine therapy for PTSD helped her reclaim her life.

Anesthesia Awareness: The Trauma You Don’t Remember

This woman—once a high-functioning medical student—began to unravel after what should have been a joyful event: the birth of her child. She had undergone a Cesarean section under general anesthesia. The baby was healthy, but in the weeks that followed, her mental state deteriorated. She became sensitive to touch, particularly around her neck, and emotionally triggered by the sound of crying babies.

Her doctors told her it was postpartum depression. But her symptoms didn’t fit that pattern. They aligned more closely with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

When she came to us, we immediately noted several red flags:

• C-section under general anesthesia
• History of cannabis use
• Sensitivity to neck touch and auditory triggers
• Use of paralytics during intubation (which increases risk of awareness)

What emerged was a classic case of anesthesia awareness, a rare but psychologically damaging phenomenon where patients regain consciousness during surgery but are unable to move or speak.

Understanding the Risk Factors

While awareness under anesthesia is rare—estimated between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 15,000 cases‍)—certain factors dramatically increase the risk:

• Obstetric procedures (as high as 1 in 600 cases)
• Use of neuromuscular blocking agents
• Pre-existing substance use or anxiety medications
• Light anesthesia doses to minimize fetal exposure

In her case, the combination of cannabis use and obstetric surgery set the stage for an experience her mind couldn't fully remember—but her body never forgot.

From Misdiagnosis to Breakthrough: When PTSD Masquerades as Depression

The missing link was recognizing that her symptoms weren’t hormonal—they were neurological. She wasn’t just sad or overwhelmed. Her nervous system was stuck in a trauma response loop.

That’s when we introduced two advanced interventions:

Stellate Ganglion Block for PTSD

A targeted injection into the stellate ganglion—a cluster of nerves in the neck—can "reset" the body's fight-or-flight system. Numerous studies show it can rapidly reduce hypervigilance, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. It’s particularly effective in trauma that’s somatically encoded, like anesthesia awareness.

IV Ketamine Therapy for PTSD

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that, in sub-anesthetic doses, has profound neuroplastic and antidepressant effects. It helps disrupt entrenched trauma loops and can be especially effective in patients whose trauma is stored in body memory rather than explicit recall.

In this patient’s case, the combination of Stellate Ganglion Block and IV ketamine unlocked her ability to process what had happened. She began to consolidate the trauma, regain emotional control, and rebuild her life.

How You Can Protect Yourself or a Loved One

Trauma like hers is rare—but it’s real. Here’s how to reduce your risk and seek the right care:

• Disclose all medications, including cannabis or recreational drugs.
• Clarify your anesthesia plan. Not all procedures involve full unconsciousness.
• Recognize red flags after surgery: nightmares, flashbacks, exaggerated startle response, or emotional detachment.
• Include surgical history in your mental health evaluations. Most therapists don’t ask unless prompted.
• Ask your doctor if Stellate Ganglion Block or IV ketamine therapy might help, especially if you've experienced unresolved symptoms after surgery.

A New Chapter

With the right diagnosis and treatment, this woman went on to finish medical school and care for her healthy baby. Her story reminds us that trauma is not always what you remember—but what your nervous system never forgets.

Learn More About Stellate Ganglion Block and Ketamine for PTSD at Clarus Health‍

If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma-related symptoms after surgery or childbirth, schedule a consultation today to see how science‑backed, holistic therapies can help you reclaim both relief and meaning on your journey out of depression. The Stellate Ganglion Block and IV ketamine therapy are powerful tools for potentially rapid results.