Depression is a medical condition comprising constant feelings of sadness, loss, rage, or a combination thereof. Despite being a common disorder, depression can become nigh devastating if left untreated; major depressive disorder or MDD has a high suicide rate.
However, patients have easy access to a wide range of treatments for depression in today’s world. Anyone struggling with depression can rest assured that with professional help, they’ll be able to get back on their feet in no time. Effective depression treatment options range from psychotherapy to medications, or innovative approaches like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
TMS is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation therapy utilizing electromagnetic pulses to provoke brain cells to reduce the neurological symptoms of mental disorders like depression. What makes TMS extraordinary is that about 60% of patients who didn't respond to antidepressant medications have demonstrated excellent progress with TMS therapy.
Here below, we’ll discuss this novel treatment for depression and how it works.
TMS treatment is usually prescribed by a physician and carried out by a technician. There’s no need for patients to be hospitalized during their TMS sessions. It is 100% an outpatient process easily performed in a clinic.
Here is a summary of what will happen during a TMS session:
There is no exact length for this treatment, and the duration primarily depends on the patient’s condition and how they respond to the treatment. Although, according to experts, one has to repeat the treatment five days a week for 4-6 weeks.
TMS therapy and depression work effectively and hand in hand, with the results being quite promising. The electromagnetic coil causes painless magnetic pulses that can stimulate brain cells responsible for mood control and depression. Scientists believe that activating regions of the brain deactivated in depression can help control the condition and ease symptoms.
It might be wise to take a physical exam and run some lab tests before undergoing TMS (certain conditions might preclude individuals from the procedure). Experts also advise psychiatric evaluation with a therapist.
These tests can help to verify that TMS is the proper treatment course for the patient’s current predicament. If you happen to have a specific condition you’re aware of; it might be best to consult with your doctor or health provider first.
According to reliable statistics, TMS therapy and depression have worked in tandem so far, as half the patients who underwent TMS showed significant signs of improvement after undergoing the procedure, with symptoms completely disappearing in about 30% of them. Other benefits of TMS include:
The remarkable results of TMS on depression have made professionals optimistic that this treatment might also prove effective with other mental conditions. TMS therapy for other mental disorders includes anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, OCD, and BPD. With help from TMS, the tension in the prefrontal lobe loses its intensity.
TMS has also been reported to have therapeutic effects on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Schizophrenia. TMS can play a vital role in treating Alzheimer's disease by mutating the connections involved in memory and learning.
If you’ve tried other treatments for depression and didn't receive a satisfying response, TMS might be your best option. If you're interested in this procedure and are concerned about possible risks and consequences, there’s nothing to worry about. Just contact us at Los Angeles Therapy Institute for further information and guidance.
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TMS is typically used when antidepressant medications haven’t been effective, have ceased working, or as an alternative to medication.
